Egypt national team assistant coach Diaa El-Sayed revealed that Al-Wasl forward Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” will be included in the team’s squad for the Benin and Nigeria friendlies within preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
“Egypt will play two friendlies against Benin and Nigeria on 7 and 11 September, respectively,” Diaa El-Sayed told a television sports programme.
“Bradley decided to call up Shikabala for the two friendlies,” he added.
“Zidan will be out of the preparations since he refused to take part in Central African Republic game,” the tactician announced.
The 26-year-old gifted forward Shikabala joined Emirati side Al-Wasl on a one-year on loan from Zamalek after had a dispute with the White’s former coach Hassan Shehata. Egypt’s American tactician Bob Bradley, then omitted the star from the national team squad.
The seven-time African champions were knocked out of the first round of 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers after a 4-3 loss on aggregate to Central Africa’s Minnows.
The Pharaohs are preparing to continue their good start in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers when they face Zimbabwe in the third round in March, as they lead group G with six points after two successive wins over Mozambique (2-0) and Guinea (3-2) in Alexandria and Conakry, respectively.
