Veteran defender Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa, who earned an Egypt call up for the first time in two years, firmly rebuffed reports that he asked coach Hassan Shehata to wear the skipper's armband. "I don't have the right to make such a request because Ahmed Hassan, who began his Egypt career several years before me, is the captain," Al-Saqqa told FilGoal.com on Wednesday. "I played many games with Hassan while he was skipper and there weren't any problems, why would I ask for the armband now? "Hassan is like my brother, we played in the Turkish league for 10 years and our relationship is very good." Al-Saqqa, who plays for Turkish side Eskisehirspor, made his last Egypt appearance in a friendly game against Kuwait in 2007. He was surprisingly included in the Pharaohs' squad for next month's crucial World Cup qualifier at home to Algeria to fill the void left by Wael Gomaa's suspension. "I'm very surprised that such fake reports came up few hours after I was named in the squad," Al-Saqqa, who was part of Egypt's 1998 and 2006 African Cup of Nations winning squads, added. "People will not believe the rumor about the skipper's armband because they know that my relationship with Hassan is very good, but other rumors could affect Egypt in such a crucial stage."
Hassan doesn't mind giving up the armband No Doubt Ahli midfielder Hassan, who made his debut with Egypt in 1995, said he had no doubt that Al-Saqqa did not demand to be granted the armband. "Al-Saqqa's morals can not be questioned, I'm sure he did not make any comments regarding that matter," the 34-year-old stated. "Anyway, I don't mind giving the armband to Al-Saqqa against Algeria because he is an experienced player who can rise to the occasion. "I have no problems whatsoever; I can also give it to a young player. It doesn't really matter who will wear it, we just need to fulfill the fans' dream of reaching the World Cup." Egypt need to beat Algeria by a three-goal margin at Cairo Stadium to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1990. A win by a two-goal margin will set up a playoff against the Desert Foxes, who haven't reach the football's most prestigious event since 1986.
