Egypt manager Hassan Shehata shed some light on his omission of Wigan Athletic striker Mido as the team landed in Muscat for a week-long training camp which will include a friendly match with the host nation on Saturday.
Possible return for Mido
The former Zamalek star said Mido was excluded in order to reduce tension towards his team while in Algeria. While neutral towards most Egyptian players, Algeria’s raucus fans do not particularly like Mido thanks in part to alleged comments in the past. Speaking briefly to reporters upon the team’s arrival in Oman Tuesday evening, Shehata said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of recalling the towering striker before the Confederations Cup kicks off June 15.
“It’s true the absence of Meteb is a blow, but we have capable replacements,” he added. Many fans thought Emad Meteb’s injury was all the more reason to have every other attacking option available.
Fathy, Hassan missing
The team was set to hold its first training session on Wednesday. Missing from the squad were Ahly midfielders Ahmed Fathy and Ahmed Hassan. Coach Shehata agreed with Ahly officials for the rest of the club’s national team contingent to practice with the Pharaohs in Oman in exchange for keeping Hassan and Fathy with Ahly for the second leg of their African Confederation Cup round of 16 tie in Angola. The pair will catch-up with the national team immediately following the match.
Hassan meanwhile was not happy to be left back in Cairo.
“[The coaching staff] allowed Ahly to keep me till the end of the month, they weren’t keen to name me to the roster. I’m disappointed,” he said.
“I’m the team’s captain, and thus should have participated in the camp right from the start.”
Hassan was injured in a car accident a few weeks ago. His injuries were mild, but required stiches.
Ahly wins league after playoff with Ismaily
As a result Hassan only played a few minutes in Ahly’s league-clinching 1-0 victory over Ismaily on the weekend.
It was an extra fixture to the league calendar, after the two teams finished the season level on points. The one-match playoff was played on neutral ground in Alexandria.
The win gave Ahly it’s fifth consecutive league title, sending manager Manuel Jose, whose leaving the post to accept the Angola national team position, out in style.
Ahly fans celebrate
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