Konyaspor defender Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa said he was frustrated at being left out of Egypt's preliminary squad for South Africa friendly game, although he was included later on. "I didn't like the way I was excluded from the squad because it is not the first time to happen," Al-Saqqa told FilGoal.com on Friday. "But every time I return I prove my worth. Anyway, I'm content to play in the South Africa match." Egypt coach Hassan Shehata didn't call-up the 32-year-old defender until Werder Bremen forward Mohamed Zidan was ruled out of the game, which is due to take place on November 15th in England, through injury. "I was very sad to know the coach's decision through newspapers; he should have had a direct contact with me."
"I talked to him after this incident and emphasized that our relationship is based on mutual respect," he added. Al-Saqqa refuted reports suggesting that Shehata opted to leave him out because of his own goal in Egypt's 2-0 friendly defeat to Uruguay back in August. "Many players scored own goals in the World Cup, but the media didn't attack them for that reason." The former Mansoura defender said he is confident of regaining his regular place in the national team, while expressing his intention to play in the 2008 African Cup of Nations. "This situation happened with me before the last African Cup but I returned and played in all matches to help Egypt lift the trophy."
