Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria, the head coach of Egypt’s national football team, unveiled the squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
The list released by Vitoria featured some unexpected exclusions, surprising many with the omission of several players whose recent performances had hinted at their inclusion in the national squad.
The squad for AFCON 2023 is as follows:
**Goalkeepers:**
– Mohamed El Shenawy
– Mohamed Abu Jabal
– Mohamed Sabri
– Ahmed El Shenawy
**Defenders:**
– Mohamed Hamdi
– Ahmed Fathou
– Mohamed Abdel-Monem
– Osama Jalal
– Ahmed Hegazi
– Ali Gabr
– Ahmed Sami
– Mohamed Hani
– Omar Kamal Abdelwahed
**Midfielders:**
– Mohamed El Neny
– Marwan Attia
– Imam Ashour
– Hamdi Fathi
– Ahmed Saeed Zizo
– Mahmoud Hamada
– Mostafa Fathi
– Ahmed Nabil Koka
**Forwards:**
– Omar Marmoush
– Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet
– Mostafa Mohamed
– Mohamed Salah
– Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim Kahraba
– Ahmed Hassan Koka
However, the most notable part of the announcement was the revelation of players excluded from the squad:
1. Hussein El Shahat (Al Ahly)
2. Mohamed Sherif (Al-Khaleej, Saudi Arabia)
3. Nabil Emad Donga (Zamalek)
4. Abdullah El Said (Pyramids)
5. Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly)
6. Ramadan Sobhi (Pyramids)
7. Mohamed Bassam (Ceramica Cleopatra)
8. Sam Morsy (Ipswich Town, England)
9. Mohannad Lashin (Pyramids)
10. Mohamed Magdy Afsha (Al Ahly)
The unexpected exclusions have generated significant debate among football enthusiasts and experts, adding an extra layer of anticipation to Egypt’s campaign in the prestigious continental tournament.
### Egypt’s AFCON 2023 Fixtures:
**Matchday 1:** Egypt vs. Mozambique on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 7:00 PM Cairo time (8:00 PM Mecca time).
**Matchday 2:** Egypt vs. Ghana on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 10:00 PM Cairo time (11:00 PM Mecca time).
**Matchday 3:** Egypt vs. Cape Verde on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 10:00 PM Cairo time (11:00 PM Mecca time).
