CAIRO: Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has preliminarily chosen 32 players ahead of the 2008 African Cup of Nations Cup next month. The holders list did not include Al Ahly’s injured winger Mohamed Barakat as well as Middlesbrough striker Ahmed “Mido Hossam. In-form striker Ahmed Belal was overlooked by Shehata, who refused to comment on the …

CAIRO: Hilal striker Godwin Ndubuisi has decided to join Tunisia s Etoile Sahel, favoring the African champions over Al Ahly, according to Sudanese reports. The Nigerian hot shot has been pursued by Africa s top two, and Egyptian champions Al Ahly officially declared their interest this week. Earlier reports in Sudan had suggested that Al …

CAIRO: Al Ahly striker Osama Hosni will be out of action for at least two weeks after picking up a thigh injury during the Reds 1-0 win over Al-Gaish on Friday, Al Ahly’s official site said. Hosni capped a rare start for Manuel Jose s team with the only goal of the game, but he …

CAIRO: Mahmoud “Shikabala Abdel Razeq has been hit with a six-month suspension by Fifa for his illegal move to Zamalek last January, according to club board member Ahmed Tawfik. The 21-year-old joined Zamalek from Greece s Paok Saloniki early this year on the basis that he can not leave Egypt due to military service. But …

Ahmed “Mido Hossam has surprisingly hinted that he could be fit before the 2008 African Cup of Nations next month. The Egypt striker has last week declared himself unfit for the Ghana finals, claiming that he needs “10 weeks rest for recovery. However, the Middlesbrough striker indicated that he might make a sooner comeback. The …

CAIRO: Al Ahly coach Manuel Jose has yet again lamented the fixtures pile-up, which force his players to have a match every 48 hours, speaking ahead of the 1-0 win over Al-Gaish on Friday. Obviously we are happy with the three points, but the players are in need of rest, we have played 12 games …

AIRO: The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced the fixtures of this season s Egyptian Cup competition, with top two Al Ahly and Zamalek handed easy first round draws. The first round of 32 will see champions Al Ahly facing the winner from the preliminary round game between second division duo Asyut Petroleum and Souhag. Whilst …

CAIRO: Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has named eight foreign-based players in the Pharaohs initial squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana. The holding champions will start preparations for their title defense with a closed camp on Dec. 26 with all foreign-based players expected to be available. Anderlecht playmaker Ahmed Hassan leads the …

CAIRO: Zamalek assistant coach Ayman Mansour denied that playmaker Mahmoud “Shikabala Abdel Razeq is suffering a serious Achilles injury. Reports suggested on Tuesday that the 21-year-old picked up the injury on Monday s training session, causing havoc to the Whites technical staff. However, Mansour insists that Shikabala had a “minor knock and that he should …

CAIRO: Egypt will complete preparations for next year s African Cup of Nations with a friendly warm-up game against Angola on Jan. 13, one week before kick off. Angola accepted our friendly proposal, and we should face them on Jan. 13 in Portugal, Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Chairman Samir Zaher told FilGoal.com. The African champions …

CAIRO: Al Ahly allowed 19-year-old Ahmed Mamdouh to go on trial with MLS side LA Galaxy, the Cairo club announced on Wednesday. The Reds received a trial offer for the highly rated winger from David Beckham s Galaxy, and the request was accepted by Al Ahly board. Despite not playing a single game for Manuel …

CAIRO: Tunisia midfielder Sofiane Melliti started a one-week trial with Zamalek, the Whites official site announced on Wednesday. Melliti, who plays for Turkish side Gazientepspor, was a member of Tunisia s 2006 Fifa World Cup team in Germany. The 29-year-old, who also played for Esperance, Olympique Beja and Hammam Lif, represented Tunisia in the 2006 …

CAIRO: Hassan Mostafa said that he has no problems with Al Ahly manager Manuel Jose after the tenacious midfielder signed a new contract at the Cairo club. Mostafa joined Saudi Arabia s Al-Wehda on loan from the Egyptian champions, where he failed to keep a regular place this term. The 29-year-old has reportedly fallen out …

CAIRO: Egyptian goalkeeper Sherif Ekrami lamented the shoulder injury which kept him out of the Dutch side s recent games. The Feyenoord deputy guardian has been out of action during the last two months, and the injury prevented him from making his season debut in the 6-0 drubbing of Heracles Almelo on Sunday. My shoulder …

CAIRO: Ismaili have taken instant action against a host of players after the 2-1 league defeat to lowly Al Masri on Monday. General manager Ali Gheit revealed that defender Hani Saied, who is a regular for the national team, was hit by an indefinite suspension for his “poor performance . Saied is suspended indefinitely, he …

CAIRO: Al Ahly coach Manuel Jose praised his opponent s display after the Reds thrilling 4-3 league win over 9-man Enppi on Sunday. Enppi took the lead twice against the holders, but were punished by an injury time strike from Angola striker Flavio Amado. Enppi played very attractive football, and it shows that Egyptian football …

CAIRO: League strugglers Ittihad are willing to reinforce the team with a new African striker in the upcoming winter transfer break. Interim chairman Mohamed Moselhi revealed that the Alexandria-based club is weighing an LE 1 million budget for the services of a new striker. We are hoping to strengthen the squad with an African striker, …

CAIRO: Egypt defender Abdel Zaher Al-Saqqa has announced that he won t be available in next year s African Cup of Nations in Ghana. The 33-year-old stopper revealed that his new club Genclerbirligi asked him to give up the tournament for the team s sake, which he promised to do. I have just joined Gencler, …

CAIRO: Egypt coach Hassan Shehata filed an official request to the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) in an attempt to lift the ban imposed on Mahmoud “Shikabala Abdel Razek. The Zamalek wizard has been handed a one-year suspension for his inappropriate behavior during the Pan African Games in Algeria last summer. However, Shehata has included the …

ALEXANDRIA: Ittihad chairman Kamal Shalabi has stepped from his position due to health reasons. Shalabi s resignation has been initially rejected by the board, but it is now imminent that he will quit the Alexandria-based club after 15 years in charge. Vice chairman Mohamed Moselhi will be temporarily appointed as president until a new chairman …

CAIRO: Al Ahly assistant coach Hossam Al-Badri said that more focus will be devoted to youth team players during the 2008 African Cup of Nations break in January. Several Al Ahly players will be away on international duty with Egypt for the Ghana finals, due to start on Jan. 20. We are willing to promote …

Ruud Krol has included Jordanian defender Khaled Saad in Zamalek s 19-man squad for the league game against Arab Contractors on Wednesday. The Jordan defender, who signed from Faisali last summer, has been rarely selected by Krol since the first day 1-0 defeat to Ismaili. Saad s inclusion comes at the expense of Tunisian stopper …

Cairo: Egypt and Tottenham striker Ahmed Hossam Mido is reportedly among several targets on Manchester City s shopping list, BBC sport said. The 23-year-old international is sought by City manager Stuart Pearce, who wants to reinforce his attacking options in January, added the Wednesday s unsourced report. Mido finds life difficult at White Hart Lane …