Egypt coach Hassan Shehata denied reports saying that Amr Zaki was involved in a heated exchange with teammate Sayed Moawad ahead of the team's friendly game against Mauritius. "I don't know how some people invent stories like that," Shehata told FilGoal.com on Thursday. "Even if that happened it would be down to an overenthusiastic approach rather than a bad behavior. This incident did not happen anyway." The alleged argument took place in training, local reports said on Thursday morning. Egypt host Mauritius on Friday afternoon as they warm-up for the anticipated World Cup qualifier away to Zambia on October 10th. Striker Zaki, who was called up despite failing to score any goal in Zamalek's first six league games, is expected to be given a starting berth against Mauritius and Zambia due to shortage of options upfront. Borussia Dortmund's Mohamed Zidan is still out of favor after skipping a friendly game against Guinea while Mido, who joined Zamalek in the close season on a season-long loan from Middlesbrough, remains short of fitness. Moawad's place on the left flank is guaranteed after he put in a string of impressive displays for league holders and leaders Ahli. Egypt will miss Ahli's mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat against Mauritius due to injury but he is expected to recover in time for the Zambia tie. The Pharaohs, who have not reached the World Cup since 1990, lie second in Group C with seven points, three behind leaders Algeria with two matches remaining. Only the group winners will reach next year's finals in South Africa.
