All sports competitions were indefinitely halted in Egypt after demonstrations broke out and turned into a full-scale revolt that overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak last month.

Ali, who moved from Ismaili to Saudi giants Hilal on loan this winter, echoed the sentiments of many coaches and pundits, saying the league stoppage must have taken a toll on Egypt.

"Of course the stoppage will negatively affect the outcome of any player or team," the Egyptian international told Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq.

"All leagues were stopped in Egypt as well as clubs' preparations for African competitions, and our national teams will suffer the consequences of that.

"The senior team, U-20 and U-17 have important games to play soon."

African champions Egypt take on South Africa on 26 March in a crucial Nations Cup qualifier while the U-20 team face Batswana on the same day in the 2012 Olympic Games qualifying stage.

"The Egyptian players abroad are now more responsible to keep Egypt on an even keel," Ali said.

Apart from Ali, Sunderland's Ahmed Elmohamady, Borussia Dortmund forward Mohamed Zidan and Sudan's Hilal goalie Essam Al-Hadari are the only Egypt players plying their trade abroad.