Hamdy Fathy to miss Egypt’s Malawi qualifiers, says Ibrahim Hassan

Egypt midfielder Hamdy Fathy will miss both of the national team’s matches against Malawi next month, team director Ibrahim Hassan has confirmed.

Fathy was injured during Egypt’s previous training camp and subsequently missed their African Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Angola and South Sudan.

“Hamdy Fathy will not be fit in time for our two matches against Malawi next month,” Hassan told On Sport.

Egypt will face Malawi during the November international break as they continue their bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are preparing for the two matches against Malawi in the November break,” Hassan said. “We are thinking practically. We want to win the upcoming matches in order to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.”

He added that the team was also assessing new players who could strengthen and develop the squad.

“We are looking for a new player to emerge and support the national team and help develop the team,” he said.

Hassan called on both established and younger players to compete for a place in the squad under manager Hossam Hassan.

“Players, young and old, must fight to earn their place in the national team,” he said. “It is not unlikely that any player could be part of Egypt’s team with Hossam Hassan. We forgive any player who makes a mistake, and we will stand behind any player who wants to join the national team.”

Hassan also described a recent meeting with Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abou Rida and vice-president Khaled El-Dirandaly as a positive step after differences had emerged.

“There had been a misunderstanding and different points of view, but we held a friendly meeting with Hany Abou Rida and Khaled El-Dirandaly,” he said. “It was a calm and cordial meeting between the people responsible for the Egypt national team and the Football Association, as we have been used to during the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.”

“Some people were angry about the Egypt national team’s successes and did not want stability within the team. They were passing on incorrect messages. We had not sat together since before the Angola match, but when we met and spoke calmly for a few minutes, everything was resolved.”

Reports had suggested that Hassan and Hossam Hassan had been invited to attend a match in Trabzon and visit the city. Hassan said no formal invitation had been received.

“I read those reports, but we have not received anything officially,” he said. “If we have the opportunity to travel to watch a match in Trabzon, there would be no problem with that, or with going anywhere else to support any player.”

Hassan also praised goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, saying: “El Shenawy is a great name who has made a great history and served Egypt. Some people focus on a single letter or word for the sake of ‘the trend’. We want to make the Egyptian fans happy.”

Egypt play Malawi on Friday, 13 November in the third round of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, before travelling to face Malawi away on Tuesday, 17 November.

Egypt lead Group B with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third with three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point after losing their opening two matches.