Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has confirmed the departure of Egyptian striker Amr Gamal to join Finland side HJK Helsinki.

The 26-year-old joined the Clever Boys at the start of the season on loan from Egyptian giants Al Ahly, having made 19 appearances in all competitions and scoring five goals in the process.

Hunt admits that things did not work out for Gamal at the club and the parties have agreed to part ways by mutual consent.

‘Gamal is gone to Finland. It didn’t work out, it is football,’ Hunt told the media.

‘Yeah, [it’s] disappointing because I really thought he will do well for us and it didn’t work out because of various football reasons.

‘The mentality was okay, I just felt that there are certain things that the game requires in different countries, and obviously it’s unfortunate that he got on the end and missed a lot of chances, but that happens in football.

‘There are no bad feelings, it happens in football.’

The Wits mentor went on to explain the reason behind the striker’s departure.

‘He has never been out of his country,’ he explained. ‘Any player when they come here, the language is the biggest problem. In understanding the football and what needs to be required, foreign players do take a bit of time.

‘He was a good player; I thought he would settle in much quicker and it didn’t happen. But you can see anywhere, foreign players do take time [to settle].’

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