He started the match but was substituted 28 minutes into the game after picking up a minor ankle injury. Shikabala made very few appearances for the team and was benched for a huge amount of the following season, only making a few appearances for the reserve team and one appearance in the first team. His most notable contribution was his goal against Azores XI during the Pedro Pauleta Trophy, ending the tournament with a 2–1 for Sporting CP and smashing the record number of live viewers through the club's official website. His Portuguese representative, Paulo Faria, made a lot of negative remarks about his behavior since their friendly match with Ittihad Alexandria in early August 2014. The club have since issued a statement on their website, defending Shikabala. In September 2014, Shikabala went to Egypt to play for his national team, since then he did not return to Sporting or to Portugal. His salary was frozen and his house and car were taken due to lack of payments. Second return to Zamalek and loan to Ismaily On 27 August 2015, Zamalek officially signed Shikabala after his unsuccessful attempt with Portuguese side Sporting. "Zamalek chairman Mortada Mansour has approved a five-season contract deal with the player," the club's official website stated. He was immediately loaned to Egyptian league side Ismaily SC as there was no place for the player in Zamalek's closed squad. Following the 2015–16 season, Shikabla completed his loan and returned to Zamalek as the team captain. Loans to Al-Raed and Apollon Smyrnis After a loan spell at Saudi Arabian club Al-Raed in 2017–18, Shikabala was loaned to Apollon Smyrni of the Greek Superleague in August 2018. Third return to Zamalek On 30 June 2019, Shikabala returned to Zamalek after the end of his loan to Apollon Smyrni. International career Shikabala made his international debut on 3 June 2007 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Mauritania. While he has never played a major role on the national team, Shikabala has made several appearances during key parts of Egypt's recent history. He was part of Egypt's squad in the 2010 African Cup of Nations, featuring in one match as Egypt ended up as winners for the seventh time and third in a row. He decided to resign from international football in 2010, citing racist insults that he had endured from Al Ahly fans during the Cairo derby