TNT Sports
Mido - will he, won't he?
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Published 09/02/2006 at 23:34 GMT
Confusion surrounds the situation of Egypt's Mido in the build up to the African Nations Cup final, after the supposedly banned striker apologised to his coach at training on Thursday and won a place on the bench for Friday's show piece event against the
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Image credit: TNT Sports
The striker - by no means on top form at this year's tournament - was banned for six months after a very public touchline bust-up with coach Hassan Shehata following the player's substitution in the semi final against Senegal on Tuesday.
Mido refused to leave the pitch and then got involved in a shouting match with his coach before his replacement, Amr Zaki, took the field and scored Egypt's winner within thirty seconds.
"When Mido sees what he happened on television he'll get angry with himself," said Shehata on Thursday.
Mido's inclusion on the squad list has led to speculation that he could make an appearance, but Shehata was quick to straighten the record.
"He will be coming to the match tomorrow but not as a player. Maybe he will stay with us on the bench, but there is no chance he will play."
Indeed, if Mido is to collect a medal - either silver or gold - in front of his legions of fans, he will need to be on the bench.
Speculation over whether the Tottenham striker will play or not was further fuelled by Ivorian counterpart Didier Drogba's suggestion that Mido would indeed play.
"I think Mido will play," the Chelsea man said on Thursday.
Whilst the debate centres on the player's inclusion in the team, it has to be remembered that even if his tantrum had never occurred, Shehata would probably be tempted to leave Mido on the bench, such has been the indifference of his form.
Whether he plays or not, the match is sure to be a fantastic spectacle, and with some passionate supporters behind Egypt, Shehata envisages fireworks.
"If Egypt win, you will see things you have never seen before," he said.
"Tomorrow we will play with our hearts and not our minds."
Follow all the action from the final, right here, LIVE on eurosport.com from 17:00 cet on Friday!
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