IN THE land of Pharaohs and pyramids, the phoenix was ready to soar.

But it needed a shove, one that would launch him into international recognition.

In the end, it was unlikely Wigan which lent him a hand.

Now, Amr Zaki is in Premiership orbit.

Manchester City dived in headlong, reportedly ready to table a big bid for the El Zamalek loan signing.

And it seems Liverpool are set to join the war for the Egyptian striker's signature, with the Reds manager Rafael Benitez admitting that 'everybody will be checking his situation now'.

It's not hard to see why there has been no lack of suitors for the powerful forward.

After just eight Premiership matches, Zaki is perched at the top of the scorers' chart with seven goals, ahead of Fernando Torres et al.

Yet, there are other aspects of his game that are as pleasing to the eye.

Most foreigners take time to settle into the robust nature of the Premiership game.

But Zaki wasted no time in doing so, marking his debut for Wigan with a goal in a 2-1 defeat to West Ham.

Blessed with great technique, he has the intelligence to operate either as a main or second striker, both just as effectively.

The industry he has displayed so far is a mark of his positive attitude, while he is also strong enough to handle the attention of the toughest defenders.

Those broad shoulders look sturdy enough to bulldoze down the most miserly backline, as Liverpool found out on Saturday when Zaki swept two goals past them in Wigan's 3-2 defeat to the Reds.

Guile

But there is guile to match the brawn.

David Pleat once described a 45-metre pass by Zaki with the outside of his right foot in an African Cup of Nations match as 'Hoddle-esque'.

His second goal against the Reds was a perfect execution of both timing and control as he launched himself into the air to strike a superb scissors-kick into the net.

From the searing heat of the Egyptian deserts, Zaki has descended upon the biting cold of north-west England, largely un-noticed.

Now that he has made his mark, he has set his sights on bigger things.

He is one of the five African footballers nominated for the 2008 CAF African Player of the Year Award, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Michael Essien (Ghana) and compatriot Mohamed Aboutrika.

Like his stock, his ambition is on the ascent.

He said: 'I think it is time I won the African Footballer of the Year award.

'No Egyptian player has won this title for over 25 years, which is disappointing.

'Many people have told me that I am the top contender.

'This sounds logical because it really has to be an Egyptian this year after we managed to hold on to our continental title, which was the biggest football event in Africa this year.'

Archaeologists continue to unearth precious artefacts from the ancient Egyptian civilisation to this day.

But the latest find turns out to be a mortal fast gaining deity-like status.

Amr Zaki is the name.