Egypt duty forces El-Hadary to delay Merreikh return

Ahmed Abd El Rasoul , Monday 28 May 2012

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary intends to postpone his return date for Sudan until after Egypt's World Cup qualifier against Mozambique

Essam El-Hadary
Egyptian goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary (Photo: AFP)

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary has revealed that he is in negotiations with his Sudanese club Merreikh over postponing his return date, to be available for Egypt's clash with Mozambique on 1 June in Alexandria as part of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The experienced goalkeeper is supposed to rejoin the Sudanese giants in the coming days after the end of his loan deal to Egyptian side Ittihad of Alexandria, but the international duty comes first for him.

"Staying with the national team is my priority. I will discuss the matter with Merreikh officials to arrange my return date," the Pharaohs keeper told Sudanese newspaper Goansport on Monday.

The 38-year-old former Ahly, Zamalek and Ismaily goalie, El-Hadary, was loaned to the coastal club but was not able to prove his worth as all football activities were halted after February's Port Said disaster.

Merreikh's Brazilian coach Ricardo said recently that he included El-Hadary in Merriekh Africa squad although his loan deal for Ittihad was ongoing.

The Egyptian team is currently holding a training camp in Alexandria amid preparations for the upcoming match.

The seven-time African Cup of Nations (CAN) champions, under the guidance of American coach Bob Bradley, have been paired with Guinea, Zimbabwe and Mozambique in Group G.

They are also scheduled to play the Central African Republic in CAN 2013 qualifiers in the same month.

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