Bob Bradley from the US, Egypt’s national team coach pauses, during an interview with The Associated Press, in Cairo, Egypt. Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013 (Photo: AP)
Egypt national team coach Bob Bradley revealed Saturday that he was forced to include Zamalek forward Mahmoud Abdel-Razek "Shikabala" in the team squad during the 6-1 loss to Ghana in the first leg of the 2014 World Cup playoffs last month.
The American Bradley said that including Shikabala was a gamble that didn't pay off.
Ghana dominated the first-leg of the World Cup qualifiers in Kumasi, surprisingly beating the seven-time Africa Cup of Nations champions 6-1.
"I included Shikabala in the Egypt lineup for the Ghana encounter to put stress on the opponent's defence," Bradley told a television programme Saturday.
"Egypt's squad suffers a lack of sharp strikers, as Gedo, Amr Zaki and Zidan are away from playing for a long time," the tactician added.
The Pharaohs need to beat The Black Stars 5-0 to overcome their 6-1 first leg defeat and to end a 24-year World Cup drought.
"Egypt will start a preparatory camp for the Ghana return game on Tuesday, as the squad will be announced after Ahly's game against Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League final on Sunday," read a statement posted by the Egyptian Football Association Sunday.
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