Zamalek coach Hossam Hassan refuted accusations from Egypt's senior and Olympic team managers against the commitment of several players. Egypt coach Hassan Shehata hit out at Shikabala after the talented Zamalek winger pulled out of the Pharaohs' squad for the midweek friendly against Australia, citing a back injury. Shehata said Shikabala feigned injury to skip the game, an accusation similar to the one he hurled against the same player ahead of Egypt's opening Nations Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in September. Youngsters Mohamed Ibrahim and Omar Gaber also said they were injured but Olympic team coach Hany Ramzy, Hassan's Egypt teammate for more than a decade, still obliged them to join the team's training camp. "I will not accept any accusations from Egypt's managers," Hassan, whose success-starved Zamalek side top the Egyptian Premier League after 10 games, told reporters on Friday. "Their injuries are not fake. Zamalek players never escape from their international duties.
Shikabala said he missed Egypt game due to back injury "Mohamed Ibrahim has an ankle injury, Omar Gaber strained a groin muscle and Shikabala hurt his back. "But the technical staffs of Egypt's teams are treating Zamalek players badly. "Ramzy ordered Mohamed Ibrahim to train without his football boots while (midfielder) Ibrahim Salah remained on the pitch until the end of Egypt's game against Australia although he was injured." Salah, who produced a superb display after making his Egypt debut in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Australia, is likely to miss out on Zamalek's league match against Masri on Sunday. Shikabala, on the other hand, was declared fit for the match to raise doubts over his commitment. "The Egyptian FA and national teams are responsible for the injuries which hit my players. Every time we hit our stride they try to hamper our progress," an angry Hassan added. Zamalek, who last won the league title in 2004, have 21 points from 10 games, three ahead of defending champions and arch rivals Ahli who have two games in hand.
