Egypt coach Rui Vitória has extended an invitation to Pyramids FC midfielder Mohanad Lasheen to replace Ahmed Nabil Kouka following his foot injury.
The Al Ahly midfielder, even though uncapped, impressed the Portuguese trainer with his impressive performance at the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
The Egyptian giants finished the intercontinental tournament by claiming the bronze medal after beating Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
Unfortunate for the 22 year old midfielder, his AFCON dream is shuttered as he has gone back to his club Al Ahly to continue with his rehabilitation.
Lasheen, who has replaced Kouka, has made 15 appearances for Pyramids this season, starting in most of their games, both on the continental stage in the Caf Champions League and the domestic games.
The Pyramids midfielder has been capped 10 times in the Pharoahs shirt in his entire career and will join the trip to Ivory Coast for the continental showpiece that begins this month. He was part of the squad in the last edition.
Egypt will seek to win a record 8th AFCON trophy as they unluckily lost in the 2 finals of the last 3 editions under Hector Cuper and Carlos Quiroz.
With Vitória leading the charge in AFCON 2023, the Pharoahs will seek to end the trophy drought after 14 years since their last triumph in Angola 2010.
