Algeria's Karim Ziani: Ramadan Outside Your Country Is Just Not The Same

Algerian international playmaker Karim Ziani has reflected upon what it’s like for a footballer to observe the fast outside his country during the holy month of Ramadan and, according to him, it’s not easy at all.

“It’s very difficult to fast and to train in Germany but I try to adapt and to adjust my efforts. For the moment everything is going fine even though the ambience is not necessarily the same as in Algeria when it’s time to break one’s fast,” he said while speaking to Al Heddaf.

Ziani also added that his trainers at his German club haven’t adapted a special training schedule for him but that it didn’t bother him because fasting is a personal choice and thus it is his responsibility to adapt to the situation.

“I train like the rest of the group, I don’t have any special treatment. It’s up to me to adapt by, for example, drinking a lot of water at night so that I’m well hydrated during training,” he added.

When asked if he was looking forward to returning to Algeria for an upcoming training camp, Ziani admitted that he was but that his motivation wasn’t only to enjoy the special atmosphere during Ramadan in Algeria but mainly to prepare for the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier which pits the Fennecs against Tanzania.

“Naturally [I am looking forward to it] because nothing can replace Ramadan in our country where we fast in a very particular ambience but, let’s be clear, I am a professional and my objective is to take three points against Tanzania. We absolutely need to return the smile to the faces of our supporters who didn’t accept our defeat to Gabon,” he explained.

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