CAIRO: Zamalek star Shikabala has backed down on his decision not to play for Egypt and is set to join the team’s camp ahead of this week’s Nile Basin friendly tournament.
The 24-year-old announced that he doesn’t want to play for the national team after being subjected to hostile chants from Ahly supporters in last week’s Cairo derby.
He was later recalled by Egypt boss Hassan Shehata, amid attempts from Zamalek officials to talk him out of his decision.
“Shikabala is now packing his bags and is on his way to the national team’s camp,” Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan said.
“He backtracked on his decision because of the fans and also because of the Egypt management’s insistence to have him on board.
“We couldn’t reach him earlier because he was on vacation after the Ahly match, but now he is back to join the national team.”
Shikabala, the league’s top scorer, has been criticized by Shehata a few weeks ago after the latter skipped a friendly match due to a minor injury.
