CAIRO: Amr Zaki backed down on the prospect of returning to Zamalek, stressing that “it is impossible for him to play in Egypt next season.
The 26-year-old striker indicated recently that “Zamalek is an option , following his return from a season-long loan at Wigan Athletic.
However, speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Zaki expressed his unwillingness to re-join the Cairo club,
Zamalek are a huge club and I can t deny its favors, but it is impossible for me to play in the Egyptian league again after my experience in England, the Egyptian striker said.
Zaki believes that his bout at JJB was fruitful despite the gloomy second-half of the season, where he failed to maintain his earlier heroics.
The player, who reached a double figure score with the Latics by the end of 2008, explained his significant decline this year.
I took no part in Wigan s pre-season training, yet I had an excellent first-half, but after that things have changed, Zaki added.
I only started a few games this year because of injuries. I also think that Zamalek s high-price tag for a permanent deal had a negative effect on my relationship with Wigan.
If I had scored my 10 goals throughout the whole season, it would have been a marvelous spell. But my amazing start put me under extra pressure.
Despite that, I think that my spell was successful. Great players like Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor couldn’t score more than I did, and I believe that’s a good proof.
Zaki said that he still deems respect to Steve Bruce, even though his relationship with the Wigan boss has reached a dead end in recent weeks.
I totally respect Bruce even after he criticized me in public. The system in England is different and I admit that I made some mistakes, he said.
Zaki also said he has no doubts over the Pharaohs’ ability to pull off an away win in Egypt s crucial World Cup qualifier in Algeria next month.
We can beat Algeria with any 11 players. Egyptians prevail in tough times, added Zaki, who is still a doubt for the Group C clash.
