Hassan Shehata does not really believe that Egypt's bunch of talented players reached perfection despite their extraordinary success. An unprofessional lifestyle remains a problem. Egypt's current crop of players led the country to back-to-back Nations Cup titles amid an uncommon optimism that they could also reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990. But to achieve that target, there is an issue that has to be sorted out, Egypt head coach Shehata believes. "On the technical level, we have players who can be ranked among the best in the world," he said in an interview with Modern Sport. "But they still lack professionalism whenever it comes to their daily habits. They can't get rid of many things they used to do since childhood." Egyptian players are often criticized for failing to act in a professional manner off the pitch. While some players earn plaudits for their refined life such as Ahli and Egypt playmaker Mohamed Abou-Treika, others face a wave of criticism over their conduct away from football. Ahli-bound striker Emad Meteb, who is on loan with Jeddah-based side Ittihad until the end of the season, and Zamalek's winger Shikabala sometimes hit headlines for the wrong reasons. So does Ismaili's outcast defender Ibrahim Saied, who fails to play to his potential due to continuous off-field problems. "Egyptian players do not care about many important things like how many hours do they sleep and what kinds of food they eat…etc," Shehata said. "They can sleep late at night and then attend the morning training session while they hardly open their eyes. "It seems that our players will never be accustomed to a professional lifestyle." More Important Discipline for Shehata is more important than anything else. He could snub a player with an undoubted talent because he doesn't behave properly. "Ismaili midfielder Omar Gamal and Harras Hodoud's Ahmed Eid are very good players but I didn't call them up on many occasions because they used to protest against the referees' decisions," Shehata commented. "I told them more than once that such actions will not be permitted with the national team.
During Shehata's tenure, no undisciplined player escaped punishment "Everyone has a role to play. Footballers should not interfere with the jobs of referees." Gamal and Eid are key players but their absence from Egypt's squad does not remain in the spotlight for long time. There are others whose nonappearance raised questions over Shehata's choices. Zamalek forward Gamal Hamza put in a string of superb displays for the Cairo giants early this season but he was overlooked by the 59-year-old boss. Simply Hamza was not polite enough to earn a place in the Pharaohs' squad, Shehata says. "Hamza branded me a joker. How could I bear such a comment? I can't deal with a player who was disrespectful to his coach." "By the way, I never visited a circus to be likened to a clown," Shehata sarcastically added. Shikabala was omitted from Egypt's squad recently for being involved in a bust up with his own fans during Zamalek's 1-0 league defeat to Ghazl Mahalla on February fifth. "What if Shikabala did the same action during a match for Egypt? It would be a serious problem. Yes he was insulted by his own fans but he shouldn't be all ears when he plays." "He has to answer those fans by producing a good performance that would prompt them to applaud him instead of making such unfortunate chants." Ahli's mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat missed international football with Egypt for more than two years for feigning an injury to skip a World Cup qualifier. Dortmund forward Mohamed Zidan had the same problem but both players were reprieved lately. Wigan Athletic's on loan striker Mido was banned for six months following his infamous touchline altercation with Shehata during Egypt's 2-1 victory over Senegal in the 2006 African Cup of Nations semi-final. During Shehata's tenure, no undisciplined player escaped punishment. Watch Shikabala's bust-up with Zamalek fans Watch Mido's altercation with Shehata
