CAIRO: Ibrahim Saied, who has just terminated his contract with Ahly Tripoli by mutual consent, launched a scathing attack on Egypt coach Hassan Shehata for ignoring him ahead of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). The temperamental defender, who s now a free agent, voiced his disgruntlement with Shehata s choices for the biennial competition, accusing him of nepotism. He also highlighted his "unpleasant relationship with the former Zamalek ace, which from his perspective resulted in his exclusion from Egypt s CAN squad. Some of the players who were named in Egypt s squad are not as good as me, Saied told Modern TV. Shehata has a good relationship with some figures and the other way around with other players. He simply favors some players over the rest. I m one of those players who have an unpleasant relationship with him, he just smiles at some players and frowns at others. The 30-year-old was part of Egypt s squad who won two successive African Cup of Nations in 2006 and 2008. Everyone expected that I will be called up for Egypt s World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Cairo to fill the void left by Wael Gomaa s suspension at the time, Saied added. I was playing regularly for Ahly Tripoli, but Shehata surprisingly snubbed me. The once-superstar is also convinced that the staggering omission of Zamalek striker Mido from Egypt s CAN squad is another proof that Shehata s choices were based on personal preference. He also shunned [Ahmed Hossam] Mido and Ismaili s Mohamed Hommos because he doesn t like them, Saied said. Saied, who has never lived up to his potential due to some childish antics on and off the pitch, has joined Ahly Tripoli after rescinding his contract with Ismaili in April. Throughout his career, Saied plied his trade at Cairo giants Zamalek and Ahly, as well as Premiership side Everton and Turkey s Rizespor.
