Hassan Shehata is undoubtedly the best manager Egyptian football has known over the past few decades, but when a certain problem pops up, The Master prefers to watch from distance. Egypt had once lost the services of Ahli ace Mohamed Barakat due to a specific problem and the same is about to happen with Zamalek star duo Amr Zaki and Shikabala. It is true that Shehata's selections have always been convincing and this was evidently proven by the masterstroke of naming Geddo in the CAN 2010 squad at the expense of Mido. However, when problems - usually involving big names - take place, a practical solution is an unlikely option for the Egypt boss. Zaki, Shikabala and the lost link Zaki and Shikabala missed Egypt's friendly win over DR Congo last month, returned to action for Zamalek days later and were both dropped by Shehata for the qualifier against Sierra Leone. The gaffer justified his decision by slamming the duo and accusing them of making inane excuses to skip the DR Congo game, which prompted him to take action. Zaki replied by insisting that he missed the friendly game upon the recommendation of the Egypt medical staff, while claiming that Shehata knew –even asked him – about his involvement with Zamalek. Now there must be a lost link between the manager, the player and the medical staff!! And to be honest, the player is the last one to be blamed when such a lack of communication arises.
There must be a lost link between the manager, the player and the medical staff!! The fresh saga evokes memories of a similar misunderstanding that led to the loss of another classy player like Barakat. Barakat's loss Three years ago, Barakat had been struggling with a troublesome knee which saw him miss a couple of international games before the 2008 African Cup of Nations. He was consequently declared doubtful for the finals in Ghana before being ruled out of the Egypt squad, even so he resumed full training three days after the opening game against Cameroon. During that phase, Shehata hardly made an attempt to involve the Ahli star – a player who has been instrumental in Egypt's CAN 2006 victory – with the national team. Why? 'Because he was an uncertainty'. Amid Shehata's indifference, later reports claimed that Barakat missed the CAN 2008 finals on purpose, a notion that the versatile winger has vehemently denied while the Egypt boss seemed to have been convinced with. Subsequently, and unfortunately, Barakat – arguably the best and most consistent performer in the Egyptian league – has become no more than a fringe player for Egypt and his absence is no more a surprise. Shehata's passive role was also evident during the infamous rift that occurred between Zaki and Mido ahead of last year's qualifier against Zambia. He opted not to make a public comment to clear the air, nor did he try to help the Egypt mates patch things up behind the scenes. In the end, Egypt begin their competitive season without three top domestic-league players, all missing for quite the same reason. Like he deservedly gets credit for his exceptional success, Egypt's top tactician should not be exonerated from criticism when the same problem re-appears.
