Egyptian coach Hassan Shihata has finally accepted apologies from star striker Ahmed "Mido" Hossam for his misconduct during last Tuesday's match against Senegal in the 25th African Cup of Nations (CAN) semi-final on Cairo.

"I consider Mido and all other players in the team as my sons. It's normal that one of them makes an error. The most important thing is that he apologised. I accept his apologies but the final decision is with the (Egyptian Football) Federation," he said.

The striker had embarrassingly objected Shihata's decision to substitute him, provoking the player's public display of disapproval that led his fellow Egyptians at the stadium to boo the England Tottenham Spurs marksman.

Despite his apologies, the EFF suspended him for six months, effectively eliminating him from Friday's Cup final line-up against Cote d'Ivoire.

Meanwhile, his team mates have asked the coach to forgive him, calling on the son of the Egyptian President, Alaa Mubarak, to intervene with the EFF.

There was no word, as PANA went to press, if the young Mubarak would use his influence with the EFF to reinstate Mido back into the squad.