Egypt name squad for Malawi qualifiers as Ali Maher recalls five players

Ali Maher has named his first Egypt squad since becoming head coach, with five players returning and Mahmoud Mamdouh receiving his first call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Malawi.

Egypt’s training camp will begin on 9 November at the National Teams Centre, with the two matches offering an early indication of the direction under Maher. The Pharaohs are aiming to strengthen their position at the top of Group B and move closer to qualification for the continental tournament.

Among those recalled are Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh”, Mohamed Shehata, Nasser Maher and Mahmoud Marei.

Mamdouh, a Modern Sport striker, has been included for the first time after scoring eight goals to become the Egyptian Premier League’s leading scorer this season.

Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour remains out for technical reasons, while National Bank of Egypt goalkeeper Abdel Aziz El Balouty has been dropped following El Shenawy’s return.

Omar Fayed, the Frosinone defender who joined the squad during the previous international break as cover for the injured Hamdy Fathy, has also been left out. Fathy, who plays for Al Wakrah, remains unavailable because of injury.

Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud, who made his international debut in the previous camp, is not included, allowing Shehata of Zamalek to return to the squad.

Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” is another returning player after recovering from the injury that prevented him from featuring for Egypt during the last international window.

There is still no place for Konyaspor striker Mostafa Mohamed, who has been outside the national-team plans since Egypt’s appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Egypt squad

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

Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh” (Zamalek), Hossam Abdel Maguid (Ludogorets), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Mahmoud Marei (Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Karim Hafez (Pyramids), Ahmed Fathy (Zamalek), Tarek Alaa (Zed).

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohand Lasheen (Pyramids), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Nasser Maher (Pyramids), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), 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).

Egypt will host the first meeting at Cairo International Stadium on 13 November. The teams will meet again on 17 November at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi in the fourth round of qualifying.

The Pharaohs lead Group B with four points, ahead of second-placed Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third with three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.

Egypt began the campaign with a goalless draw away to Angola before responding with a 5-0 victory at South Sudan.