CAIRO: Anderlecht’s general manager Herman van Holsbeeck denied stating that Shikabala comes from a poor family.
Van Holsbeeck had been previously quoted by a good number of Belgian papers as saying: "If Shikabala comes (to Anderlecht), then our off-field coaching will be very important.
"He comes from a poor family and is now a big star. The guidance will be a challenge for us."
But shortly afterwards he assured that he had been misquoted by the printed press.
"I am worried as I read some quotes of mine about Shikabala which I did not say so," Van Holsbeeck told Anderlecht’s official site.
"I have not said that he is coming from a poor family, this is wrong.
"I said he is a top-talent and we would be very proud if he would come and we would do everything possible to make him feel comfortable in Brussels.
"We will be very happy and extremely honored if he arrives at Anderlecht."
Anderlecht have been trying to secure Shikabala’s services for months but Zamalek have been detrmined to keep hold of him.
The 30-time Belgian champions recently said the 24-year-old had penned a four-year deal with them, although the Cairo insisted they would not let him depart.
Anderlecht have two offers for Shika turned down by Zamalek, which prompted the former club to seek legal avenues to land the Egypt schemer without the Whites’ consent.
The Belgian giants believe Shikabala could invoke article 17 of FIFA regulations to leave Zamalek.
The article states that players who have already served three years of their existing contract – or two years in the case of players aged 28 or over – could buy out the remaining time of their deal.
Shikabala’s current deal with Zamalek runs out at the end of the season.
