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Shikabala could play for Egypt again: Coach Shawky Gharib says Shikabala, who recently signed for Sporting Lisbon, could play for Egypt again if he regains form
Egypt coach Shawky Gharib has said the door is open for Mahmoud ‘Shikabala' Abdel-Razeq to return to the national squad if he regains form. The 27-year-old completed his move from Zamalek to Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon in the early hours of Saturday, just minutes before the winter transfer window closed. The Pharaohs star did not play for Zamalek this season in protest at not receiving money owed to him. The Pharaohs -- who have not played since the World Cup playoffs in November -- will being their first training camp of the year on 28 February and are set to face Bosnia in a warm-up game. "We will call up the players who have delivered outstanding performances since the start of the season. Also the foreign-based players who have played for the national team regularly in recent times will be in," Gharib said in a TV interview on Tuesday. On Sunday, Lisbon coach Leonardo Jardim said that Shikabala would not play for three weeks while he adapts to conditions in Portugal. "Shikabala will join us only if he has managed to prove himself before the camp starts," Gharib said. Gharib and his coaching team have been watching Egyptian Premier League matches closely from the stands in the hope of finding some new talent. Egypt are hoping for a new era as they prepare for the African Cup of Nations in Morocco in July 2015. They will start their preparation with a friendly against Bosnia in Austria on 5 March. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports onTwitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/93502.aspx
