Amr Zaki hopes he can realize the dream of playing in the World Cup to atone for missing out on Egypt's Confederations Cup campaign. The combative striker was not present in South Africa when Egypt grabbed headlines for stunning performances against heavyweights Brazil and Italy. Five-time world champions Brazil needed a last-gasp penalty from Kaka to beat Egypt 4-3 in a thrilling encounter while World Cup holders Italy were stunned after slumping a 1-0 defeat to the Pharaohs. Zaki missed the quadrennial tournament through injury but he hopes to make amends by steering his country to a place in next year's World Cup finals, also in South Africa. "I already missed the Confederations Cup because of injury, I don't want to miss the World Cup too," he told Sky Sports on Thursday. Egypt made the last of their two World Cup appearances in the 1990 tournament in Italy, where they suffered a first-round exit after two draws against Holland and Ireland and a defeat at the hands of England.
Egypt face Zambia in crucial tie They were considered firm favorites to end their jinx after being handed a relatively favorable draw for the 2010 qualifiers but stumbled against Algeria and Zambia. Hassan Shehata's side, who won back-to-back Nations Cup titles in 2006 and 2008, are three points adrift of Group C leaders Algeria with two matches remaining. Only the group winners will reach the World Cup. "We have to qualify for the World Cup, it is our nation's dream," Zaki, who is yet to open his Zamalek account this season after joining in the summer following the end of his loan spell at Wigan Athletic, added. "We have to win against Zambia and beat Algeria on our ground. We can do it, we can realize our dream of playing in the World Cup." Egypt visit Zambia on Saturday before hosting Algeria at Cairo Stadium on November 14.
