Zamalek left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (C) out of Egypt World Cup qualifier (Photo: Ahram)
Zamalek left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy has been given permission to skip Egypt's World Cup qualifier at home to Guinea on 10 September, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) said on Wednesday.
"Abdel-Shafy arrived at the training camp today and sat down with coach Bob Bradley, telling him he has family problems that will prevent him from regularly attending the national team's training sessions," the EFA said in a statement on their website.
"The head coach accepted his request to leave the team's training camp ahead of the Guinea match."
Abdel-Shafy, a regular member of Egypt's squad, was part of the Pharaohs side that won the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola.
He made five appearances at the biennial tournament and scored in Egypt's 4-0 win over North African rivals Algeria in the semi-final.
American tactician Bradley is likely to field either Sayed Moawad or Ahmed Shedid in the left-back position when Egypt host Guinea in Alexandria. Both play for Cairo giants Ahly.
Egypt’s game at home to Guinea is largely meaningless after the seven-time African Champions had ensured they would finish on top of Group G with one game to spare after becoming the only African team to collect maximum 15 points from five matches.
They are anxiously waiting for the 16 September draw to learn who they would face in the final two-legged playoff as they seek to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990.
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