CAIRO: Zamalek striker Amr Zaki said he was eager to take part in Wednesday’s anticipated Egyptian Cup clash against arch-rivals Ahly.
The White Knights claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over second-division side Fayoum on Saturday to set up a last-16 cup meeting with league champions Ahly.
Zaki has not been able to play with Zamalek since terminating a loan deal with English side Hull City earlier this month.
He awaits international clearance from Hull to be eligible to play in Zamalek’s remaining games this season.
"My agent told me that I should receive international clearance on Monday," Zaki said on the club’s official website on Sunday.
"I hope that the matter will be settled tomorrow because I’m keen to play against Ahly and help Zamalek defeat them."
Zaki spent the first half of the season at Zamalek but did not play under coach Hossam Hassan, who took over at the club in November last year, due to disciplinary problems.
He joined Hull in January but could not replicate his heroics with Wigan Athletic in the 2008-2009 season.
Hassan is currently relying on Ahmed Gaafar as a lone striker but Zaki is likely to outmuscle him in Zamalek’s starting line-up if he regains his sharpness in front of goal.
"I will support Zamalek from the stands if I could not play on Wednesday," the Egypt striker, who scored the opening goal in his side’s 4-3 loss to Ahly in the 2007 Egyptian Cup final, added.
