CAIRO: Ismaili full-back Ahmed Samir Farag has joined Hassan Shehata s critics as he questioned the Egypt coach s decision to exclude him from his African Cup of Nations squad. The Dervishes left-back was surprisingly omitted from Egypt s final list, making way for Zamalek s Mohamed Abdel-Shafi, who was chosen as backup for Sayed Moawad. But Farag did not swallow Shehata s decision to give Abdel-Shafi the nod at his own expense in last week s warm-up game with Malawi. I wonder on what basis does the manager make his choices? the former Sochaux defender told reporters. I wasn't given the chance to prove myself in the Malawi game, while Abdel-Shafi played and was accordingly selected. Paying the Price Farag, who was a member of Egypt s squad in the 2009 Confederations Cup, believes that playing for Ismaili hinders his national team chances. I think that Ahly and Zamalek are always under the spotlight. Where is Ahmed Sedik, Abdullah Al-Saied, Mohamed Hommos and other Ismaili players? the ex-Ahly man added. I believe that we are paying the price of our loyalty to Ismaili. Goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari and backup defender Moatassem Salem were the only players from Ismaili in Shehata s roster for the Angola finals.
