Dubai: Not content with captivating audiences with his Fifa World Cup predictions online, Shaheen the World Cup Predicting Camel has also been making waves in the news on his own.
After being such a sensation four years ago at the Brazil tournament, the Gulf News auguring artiodactyl has been at it again for the biggest sporting event in the world, currently taking place in Russia, selecting his winners for the biggest matches each day.
He lets us know who he is plumping for by nudging one of the flags of the teams taking place in each match.
Now his dromedary divinations have been garnering attention in the media around the world, with the New Straits Times in Malaysia picking up on his exploits and US-based satellite television news channel CNN tracking his progress.
He’s also made headlines globally, with publications including Arab News, India’s Asian Age and the Bangkok Post following him with interest.
He’s becoming an internet celebrity all over again, with popular sporting websites and blogs, including Deadspin and InsideSport monitoring the ubiquitous ungulate’s success.
And he’s not been doing too bad either.
Shaheen's record
The Brazil late show to over come Costa Rica on Friday and Toni Kroos’ late winner for Germany over Sweden on Saturday night took him to eight correct predictions from 13 (they were never in doubt, he insists).
Most of those ones he got wrong, I think most of us did as they included the upset in the draw between Argentina and Iceland, Germany’s loss to Mexico and Brazil’s draw with Switzerland.
Shaheen took those setbacks in his elegant stride and swiftly got back on track. Just don’t let him read this or all the fame might go to his head.
Will he keep up the good work as the tournament progresses? Only one way to find out …
You can follow his predictions each day, and even have a go yourself. Use the predictor on the right side of our home page to participate.
