The 14 November 2010 World Cup qualifier against Algeria will force another postponement of the Egyptian domestic league, reports Ahmed Morsy Following a three-week break because of the Under-20 World Cup which Egypt was hosting, the league is forced to put the brakes once again, this time owing to the do-or-die clash between Egypt and Algeria on 14 November for a 2010 World Cup berth. Shortly after Egypt beat Zambia to revive its hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup in South Africa, the Egyptian Football Federation decided that only two games would be played -- the seventh and eighth week -- before the league stops again. Egypt will host Tanzania on 5 November in a friendly in preparation for the decisive qualifier with Algeria nine days later. "We decided to play Tanzania because that's our best option," Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib told Modern Sport TV. "The game is not included in the FIFA international agenda. That's why we have chosen a team with no players abroad." Egypt was to have played the friendly with Germany on 18 November but that date might now be used to play a deciding game against Algeria. "Given the circumstances, there simply were too many uncertainties involved in the planning of the match in Gelsenkirchen," Wolfgang Niersbach, German football's general secretary, said. Instead, Germany, the three-time world champions, will face Ivory Coast on 18 November. Meanwhile, Egyptian head coach Hassan Shehata will take his team to Aswan on Saturday where they will start training for the big day. A win by a three-goal margin will propel Egypt, who trail Group C leaders Algeria by three points, to the World Cup for the first time since 1990. Algeria needs to win, draw or lose by a one-goal margin to ensure it would become one of Africa's representatives at football's most prestigious event. A deciding game will be played on 18 November in an as yet undetermined neutral country if both sides finish level on points and goal difference. Football's world governing body FIFA has asked the Egyptian and Algerian federations to draw up a list of three countries that they think can host a potential World Cup decider if Egypt defeats Algeria by a two-goal margin. EFA chairman Samir Zaher announced a week ago that he had turned down an Algerian suggestion that the game be staged in a North African country where Algeria could be more popular among fans. What is sure is that South African referee Jerome Damon will officiate Egypt's crucial World Cup qualifier at home to Algeria, the EFA said in a brief statement on its website. Damon, 37, officiated at the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He is also placed on FIFA's provisional list of referees for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa. Damon refereed Egypt's 2-0 defeat away to Ivory Coast in a World Cup qualifier in 2005 and Ahli's 2-0 home win over Cameroon's Cotonsport in the first leg of the 2008 Champions League final. The Egyptian league came to a halt after Ahli claimed a 2-0 victory over Enppi to stay on top of the table on 20 points, three points ahead of second-place Petrojet. Enppi remain in seventh on 10 points but with two matches in hand. Former Ismaili striker Mohamed Fadl notched the opener on the hour mark, and Egypt playmaker Mohamed Abu Treika completed the rout in the 78th minute. Zamalek are in fifth with 11 points, Ismaili lie fourth on 13 points, one point behind Al-Gaish who occupy third place. Zamalek gave beleaguered coach Henri Michel some respite by claiming a hard-fought 3-2 victory over a brave Military Production side. Anything less than a win over Military Production could have most likely sealed Michel's fate. The Frenchman enjoyed a winning start after replacing Swiss tactician Michel Decastel late in August when Zamalek defeated Ittihad 1-0 but his joy was short-lived. He has failed to turn around Zamalek's fortunes since replacing Decastel and patience is no longer an option for the Cairo giants, who are experiencing one of their worst ever league starts. Zamalek, who lost twice and drew once in their first four games under the guidance of Michel, are 11th in the 16-team league table with eight points from seven games, nine behind leaders and arch-rivals Ahli. Michel was widely criticised for being passive in the 1-1 draw in the seventh week of the league with newly- promoted Al-Gouna as he made just one substitution, introducing central midfielder Ibrahim Salah when Zamalek were in dire need of attacking options. "The board of directors will convene on Friday next week to take decisions over the team's poor run of results," board member Ibrahim Youssef, a prominent Zamalek defender in the 1980s, said. "We want to see what Zamalek will do against Military Production before taking any decisions." Rumours surfaced that former Egypt great Hossam Hassan, who is currently managing second division side Telecom Egypt, will be appointed as the team's coach. Other reports indicated the rehiring of Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada. Zamalek's 3-2 win over Military Production breathed some life into the club. An own goal from Ayman El-Muhammadi gifted Zamalek an early lead before further strikes from Sherif Ashraf and Ghanaian midfielder Ibrahim Ayew left the hosts with a mountain to climb. Production pulled one back 15 minutes before the break, thanks to a goal from former Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Abul-Ella. The league newcomers were unlucky not to score in the second half after carving out plenty of clear-cut chances. They couldn't break the resistance of goalkeeper Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed until stoppage time when Mohamed Zaki scored from close range. Ahmed Magdi and his partner Amr El-Safti committed dreadful mistakes, leaving huge gaps at the back but El-Sayed came to their rescue on many occasions in the second half. El-Sayed, who regained his place between the sticks after Mohamed Abdel-Monsef gifted Gouna a goal in their 1-1 draw, produced a scintillating display to thwart countless efforts from Production. The win snapped a three-match winless streak to ease the pressure on Frenchman Michel, who would have probably lost his job if the Cairo giants failed to win. Michel cut short his post-match press conference. He was initially infuriated when a reporter asked him why he changes his starting line-up every game. "There is nothing called a fixed line-up," Michel replied without further elaboration. The same reporter repeated the question in hopes that the former France manager would discuss the matter in more detail, but he only managed to incur his wrath. Michel, who said earlier that Zamalek still need work to improve their displays, left the conference room after just eight minutes. After Zamalek's 1-1 draw to newcomers Al-Gouna, Mido, the former star of several big European clubs, hopes his maiden goal for Zamalek will enhance his chances of returning to Egypt's fold, even if he'll be used as a ball boy. The 26-year-old scored his first goal in the white shirt in the 1-1 home draw with the newcomers, courtesy of a fine second-half volley. "I am really hoping to be recalled by Egypt and help my country beat Algeria and reach the World Cup," Mido said after the league game. "I am always eager to serve my country, even if I contribute as a ball boy!" Mido's last game with Egypt was back in March, when the African champions were held to a disappointing 1-1 qualifying draw with Zambia in Cairo. The on-loan Middlesbrough striker was repeatedly dropped by Hassan Shehata in recent months, due to his significant dip in form and fitness. Ahli goalkeeper Amir Abdel-Hamid is another player with problems, having been suspended for an indefinite period after swearing at coach Hossam El-Badri, the club said last week. "Abdel-Hamid's behaviour was unacceptable," Ahli said in a statement on their official website. "He made offensive remarks against the technical staff members after being left out of the team's squad for the league game against Mansoura. "The club cannot tolerate such actions and thus, Abdel-Hamid will be banned for an indefinite period and will have his dues suspended." The incident is likely to further strain the relationship between the 30-year-old and Ahli fans. Abdel-Hamid, who is growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of opportunities in the starting line-up, does not believe he committed a fatal mistake. "I was stunned to find out that I was dropped for the Mansoura game without any reasons," the goalie told FilGoal.com. "I then asked El-Badri for an explanation but he replied in an inappropriate way. "What happened is down to my enthusiasm to play a role in Ahli's victories. I'm very sad to have been out of action for such a long time." Ahli recently said they were looking for a new goalkeeper, identifying several targets, including Ismaili's Mohamed Sobhi and Ittihad's El-Hani Suleiman. Al-Gouna's goalie Sherif Ikrami is one more choice reportedly close to signing with the six-time African champions in January.
