Egypt´s Zidan out of USA Confed Cup tie

Egypt suffered a blow on Saturday on the eve of their Confederations Cup tie with the United States with the defection due to injury of star striker Mohamed Zidan.

The Borussia Dortmund forward is sidelined after failing to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up in Egypt’s shock 1-0 win over world champions Italy in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Zidan, who scored twice in Egypt’s 4-3 loss to Brazil in their opening Group B game, had to be taken off in the second half.

Confirming the player’s absence in Sunday’s crucial encounter with the CONCACAF Gold Cup winners, coach Hassan Shehata’s assistant Shawky Gharib told Egyptian television: “Zidan will not be able to play against the US.

“The hamstring injury he sustained against Italy is not serious, but it will prevent him from taking part in Sunday’s match.”

Gharib had better news of the African Nations Cup holders’ Ahmed Fathi and Sayed Moawad, the full-backs who also suffered injuries in their successful efforts to contain the Azzurri’s strike force to put Egypt in with a very real chance of qualifying for the Confed Cup semi-finals.

“Fathi trained with us today, he has no problems,” Gharib said.

“The medical team told us Moawad was 95 percent certain to recover in time for the match.”

Egypt have emerged as the surprise package in South Africa.

The Pharaohs turned up under something of a cloud after toiling in early qualifying for next year’s World Cup.

But the African champions have confounded their critics with two inspired performances against Brazil in defeat and against Italy in victory.

Mohamed Homos’ first half goal against the world champions at Ellis Park on Thursday blew Group B wide open.

A win over the underperforming United States will put Egypt on six points and into the last four if Italy fail to beat defending champions Brazil.

Victory for the Italians will put all three teams level, with goal difference the deciding factor.