JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - A hamstring injury has ruled Egypt striker Amr Zaki out of the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa from Sunday.
The organisers said his place in the 23-strong 'Pharaohs' squad will go to veteran Ismailia goal poacher Mohamed Abougreisha, one of five stand-by players.
He got the nod ahead of Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam, a talented but temperamental striker not popular with coach Hassan Shehata since their touchline showdown after his substitution during the 2006 African Nations Cup semi-final.
Zaki, released by English Premiership outfit Wigan last month after a topsy-turvy one-year loan from Cairo club Zamalek, was injured last Sunday when Egypt slumped 3-1 away to Algeria in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.
His absence is a serious blow to the six-time African Nations Cup winners already missing Saudi Arabia-based striker Emad Moteab because of a long-term injury.
It leaves Mohamed Zidan from German club Borussia Dortmund as the sole international-hardened striker in the 23-strong squad that faces Confed Cup holders Brazil Monday in the opening Group B match.
Egypt later face world champions Italy and the United States hoping for better luck in their second Cup appearance after a 5-1 hiding from Saudi Arabia in Mexico 10 years ago.