Egypt coach Hossam Hassan set to hand starting roles to Emam Ashour and Mohannad Lasheen against Angola

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has reportedly settled on his preferred midfield pairing for the Pharaohs’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Angola.

The Egyptian national team is continuing its preparations for the crucial encounter, with the coaching staff working to finalise the starting lineup ahead of Friday’s fixture at the Cairo International Stadium.

According to reports from Youm7, Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour has secured a place in the starting lineup and is expected to operate alongside Mohannad Lasheen in the middle of the pitch.

Ashour has been part of Egypt’s squad for the September international camp and has participated in the team’s training sessions as Hassan assesses his options ahead of the beginning of the continental qualifying campaign.

The decision to start Ashour comes as Egypt deal with the absence of another key midfielder.

Marwan Attia will miss the opening qualifier against Angola through suspension. Ibrahim Hassan, the Egyptian national team director, previously confirmed that the suspension carried over from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and rules the Al Ahly midfielder out of the first qualifying match.

With Attia unavailable, the technical staff have made adjustments to their midfield plans, with Mahmoud Saber brought into the squad as an alternative.

However, reports indicate that Hassan has opted to start Ashour and Lasheen in the midfield against Angola, giving the pair the responsibility of controlling the centre of the pitch and helping Egypt establish dominance in their opening qualifier.

The Pharaohs will be aiming for a strong start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign on home soil, with Hassan expected to rely on a blend of experience and fresh options as he builds his team for the upcoming fixtures.

Egypt vs Angola

Egypt will face Angola on Friday, September 25, 2026, in their opening match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The game is scheduled for 10:00 PM at the Cairo International Stadium, where the Pharaohs will look to begin their qualifying campaign with a positive result.

Hassan’s side will then turn its attention to the remaining fixtures in the international window as Egypt continues its preparations for the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.