Zaki, Mido out of Rwanda-Egypt WC

WC/CAN Qualifier
Sept. 5
Rwanda    v   Egypt

RWANDA’S professional players Boubakary Saddou and Olivier Karekezi have joined Amavubi Stars training camp ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Egypt due on September 5 in Kigali.

Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer Jules Kalisa said that Saddou, who features for Libya’s premier division side Ahly Tripoli, was expected to arrive in camp last evening while skipper Karekezi is scheduled to join the rest of the squad today.

Karekezi has been undergoing trials with English side Notts County after his Norwegian club Ham Kam was relegated.

However, the League Two club (an equivalent of fourth division) has not made their final decision on the Rwandan international, who was reported to have passed the trials last week.

According to Kalisa, Cyprus based defender Hamad Ndikumana alias Katauti will link with the rest of the players on Monday.
Meanwhile, Egypt boss Hassan Shehata has named 23 players for the crucial World Cup qualifier.

Ahli midfielder Mohamed Barakat made the list for the first time since March’s home draw with Zambia, whereas Amr Zaki was not included yet again.

Zaki has been recently struggling with a hamstring injury, even though Zamalek said on Tuesday that he is set to return to full training this week.

Zamalek duo Mido and Shikabala were not included by Shehata, Mohamed Zidan is banned by the FA, while Emad Meteb is ruled out with injury.

The selection witnessed a few surprises as Petrojet’s Mohamed Shaaban, Lierse’s Mohamed Al-Gabbas and Mansoura guardian Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud earned their first call-ups.

Aboul-Saoud, along with Ittihad’s Al-Hani Soliman joined first-choice keeper Essam Al-Hadari as the unfit Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed was omitted.

Meanwhile, Fifa has selected Ghanaian referees to officiate Rwanda’s World/Africa Nations’ Cup qualifier against Egypt scheduled to be held on September 5 in Kigali.

The officials are; Joseph Odartey Lamptey (centre referee), Haruna Ayuba (assistant referee), David Laryea (assistant referee) and William Selorm Agbovi (Fourth official).

Uganda’s Charles Masembe has been named as the referee assessor while Mustapha Samugabo (Burundi) is the match commissioner while Abel Mbengue (Cameroon) will in charge of overseeing the security side.

Ends