Zamalek goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari has backtracked on his decision to depart in January, the club's football director Ibrahim Hassan said on Wednesday. "I sat down with Al-Hadari and convinced him to stay put," Hassan, the twin brother of head coach Hossam Hassan, told FilGoal.com. "He agreed to remain at the club." Al-Hadari said last week he sought to leave Zamalek, the club he joined from Ismaili in the close season, when the transfer window re-opens in January. He was reportedly angry at coach Hassan's decision to field Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed instead of him during the 3-1 Egyptian Premier League victory over promoted Smouha. Hassan played both keepers during Zamalek's past six league games, opting not to rely on a definite first-choice goalie.
Al-Hadari: Competition with Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, who has been Zamalek's regular keeper for more than a decade, produced an impressive display in Monday's narrow 1-0 victory over Arab Contractors to prompt the White Knights' fans to enthusiastically chant his name. Harras Hodoud made no secret of their desire to sign Al-Hadari but they could now give up their pursuit of the veteran shot-stopper. Shikabala Offer Ibrahim Hassan also said the club would not object to selling Shikabala if he received a suitable offer. The talented forward is linked with a Belgian move, with Anderlecht and Standard Liege apparently ready to table bids for him. "We don't have problems with that. We can sell Shikabala if a good offer arrives," Hassan stated. "We are working in the best interests of the club. We can use the money we will get from Shikabala's transfer in signing new players and extending the contracts of our players."
