Egypt’s national team is gearing up for a crucial opening encounter against Mozambique in the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, scheduled for next Sunday at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.
In the coming hours, Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria, the manager of the Pharaohs, will be compelled to exclude four players from the national team’s roster, currently comprising 27 players.
This decision is in accordance with the regulations set by the tournament.
The rules of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations stipulate that the final squad of any team, including Egypt, should consist of between 23 and 27 players.
However, only 23 players are eligible to be listed for any match in the tournament.
In adherence to the tournament regulations, Egypt will field 11 players and have 12 substitutes on the bench for the first match against Mozambique.
Vitoria will exclude four players, aligning with the regulations, which emphasize the flexibility of player names in each match based on the coach’s choices.
Moreover, tournament regulations allow Egypt, and any other participating team, to replace any player from their final squad due to injury up to 24 hours before their first match.
This replacement is subject to approval from the Medical Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
As anticipation builds for the kickoff of the Africa Cup of Nations, the strategic decisions made by Coach Vitoria to shape the final lineup will undoubtedly be scrutinized.
Egypt aims to make a strong start in the tournament against Mozambique, and the meticulous selection of players is crucial to the team’s success on the continental stage.
