The former ENPPI coach was responding to quotes attributed him that he was afraid the available of several stars would cause him problems.

"I never said that, because Ittihad don't have stars," Basri told FilGoal.com on Sunday.

"The star in Egypt is the one who plays in the national team. Ittihad mainly depend on teamwork plays."

The Alexandria-based club signed a host of players in the close season as they aim to improve on last season's tenth-place finish in the Egyptian League.

Despite having a decent history in Egyptian football, Ittihad barely avoided relegation during the past few seasons.