Shikabala has been recalled by Egypt manager Bob Bradley for the two friendlies against Benin and Nigeria next month as the proposed clash with Saudi Arabia has been cancelled. Egypt were initially supposed to meet Saudi Arabia but are now set to take on Benin on September 7 before facing Nigeria four days later, although the venues of both games have yet to be announced. Newly-signed Al-Wasl midfielder Shikabala was recalled for the first time since his infamous touchline row with former Zamalek boss Hassan Shehata back in May as Bradley declared few days ago he was willing to call up the temperamental star. Brighton & Hove Albion defender Adam El-Abd has also been named and is poised to make his international debut for the Pharaohs. Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Hegazi, Hosni Abd-Rabou, Ahmed Elmohamady and Essam Al-Hadari were expectedly included, while Lierse duo Ahmed Saied ‘Ouka' and Ahmed Samir Farag completed the nine-man list of foreign-based players. Bani Yas forward Mohamed Zidan remains out of favor after falling out with Bradley ahead of a qualifier against Central African Republic in June. Egypt's next competitive game takes place in March 2013 against Zimbabwe after they had failed to make it past the CAN 2013 qualifying preliminaries.
