Egypt Completes Squad for Upcoming African Cup of Nations Qualifiers
Egypt’s national team coach Shawky Gharib has finalized his squad for the crucial African Cup of Nations qualifiers, calling up 40 players in total — including 11 expatriates and 29 from the local league.
Last week, Egypt unveiled a preliminary list featuring 11 players based abroad, but the squad is now complete with the addition of several domestic league stars. Traditionally dominated by Al Ahly players, the Pharaohs’ roster still features a strong representation from the club, with five players included. Notably, veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, now with Ismaily, has been recalled to the squad.
Egypt is determined to make a strong return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the last two editions. The team is set to face Senegal on 6 September, followed by a high-stakes encounter with Tunisia on 10 September.
Goalkeepers: Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Essam El Hadary (Ismaily), Amir Abdel-Hamid (Wadi Degla), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek)
Defenders: Sabri Rahil (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hegazy (ACF Fiorentina, Italy), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City, England), Shawky El-Said (Ismaily), Aly Ghazal (CD Nacional, Portugal), Ahmed Said “Okka” (Smouha), Rami Rabia (Sporting CP, Portugal), Ahmed Fathi (Um Salal, Qatar), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Zamalek), Hazem Emam (Zamalek)
Midfielders: Hossam Ghaly, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hamoudi, Mohamed El-Nenny (FC Basel, Switzerland), Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim “Kahraba” (Grasshoppers, Switzerland), Saleh Gomaa (CD Nacional, Portugal), Hosni Abd-Rabo (Ismaily), Ibrahim Abdel-Khalek (Smouha), Mahmoud Abdel-Razek “Shikabala” (Sporting CP, Portugal), Omar Gaber, Momen Zakaria (Zamalek)
Forwards: Amr Gamal (Al Ahly), Mohamed Salah (Chelsea FC, England), Ahmed Hassan “Koka” (Rio Ave, Portugal), Hany El-Egeizy (Smouha), Khaled Kamar (Zamalek)
Egyptians will be hoping that this balanced mix of local and international talent will bring renewed success and secure qualification for the upcoming tournament.
