Ali Maher names first Egypt squad with Salah leading Malawi qualifiers

Egypt coach Ali Maher has named his first squad less than 24 hours after being appointed head coach of the Pharaohs, with Mohamed El Shenawy and Mahmoud Trezeguet returning to the team.

Forward Mahmoud Mamdouh has also earned his maiden international call-up following an impressive start to the Egyptian Premier League season.

Maher, a former Egypt and Al Ahly forward, was appointed on Saturday following the dismissal of Hossam Hassan, who guided the Pharaohs to the last 16 of last summer’s FIFA World Cup.

The new coach faces an immediate challenge, with Egypt preparing for a double-header against Malawi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Pharaohs will host the Flames in Cairo on 13 November before travelling to Lilongwe for the return fixture on 17 November, with both matches counting towards Matchdays 3 and 4 of the qualifying campaign.

Egypt currently lead Group B with four points after opening their campaign with a goalless draw against Angola before securing an emphatic 5-0 victory over South Sudan.

Malawi sit third on three points, having beaten South Sudan 2-1 at home before suffering a 3-1 defeat against Angola.

Captain Mohamed Salah headlines Maher’s squad, which also includes recalls for Zamalek duo Mahmoud Hamdy and Mohamed Shehata, alongside Pyramids players Mahmoud Marei and Nasser Maher.

Trezeguet is another notable returnee, while Haitham Hassan of Celtic and Hamza Abdelkarim of Barcelona are among the attacking options selected by the new coach.

Mamdouh’s inclusion is one of the biggest talking points after the Modern Sport forward emerged as the Egyptian Premier League’s leading scorer, with eight goals in as many matches.

Maher will hope his first squad can deliver positive results against Malawi as Egypt look to strengthen their position at the top of Group B and move closer to qualification for the 2027 tournament.

Egypt squad for Malawi double-header

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), El Mahdy Soliman (Zamalek), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), Mohamed Alaa (Ceramica Cleopatra).

Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy ‘El-Wensh’ (Zamalek), Hossam Abdelmeguid (Ludogorets Razgrad), Ramy Rabiaa (Al-Ain), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Mahmoud Marei (Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Karim Hafez (Pyramids), Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek), Tarek Alaa (Zed FC).

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Nasser Maher (Pyramids), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjælland), Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ (Al-Riyadh), Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Al Ahly), Haitham Hassan (Celtic).

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor), Omar Marmoush (Tottenham Hotspur), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona), Mahmoud Mamdouh (Modern Sport).