Egypt Olympic squad: Three Germany-based players named for Japan friendly

Hamada Sedki has announced his first Egypt Olympic squad since taking charge, with three Germany-based players included for the friendly against Japan on Tuesday, 17 November.

Tibo Gabriel of Mainz, Salim Taleb of Hertha Berlin and Omar Abdel Meguid of Greuther Furth are among the 29 players selected by Sedki.

The match, which will kick off at 18:00, will form part of Egypt’s preparations for the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations. Egypt will host the tournament in November 2027, with the competition serving as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Sedki was appointed head coach of Egypt’s Olympic side as preparations begin for that campaign. He succeeds Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale, who guided Egypt to fourth place at the Paris Olympics.

The squad is:

Goalkeepers: Abdel Moneim Tamer (ZED), Ahmed Wahb (Al Masry), Ahmed Manshawy (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Hazem Gamal (Pyramids).

Defenders: Ahmed Abdeen (Wadi Degla), Abdullah Bostengy (ZED), Sayed Osama (Zamalek), Moataz Mohamed (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Mohamed Ibrahim (Zamalek), Marwan Heggy (ZED), Eyad Salah (Abu Qir Fertilizers), Mohab Sami (El Qanah), Moamen Sherif (Al Ittihad Alexandria).

Midfielders: Ahmed Khaled “Kabaka” (Al Ahly), Tibo Gabriel (Mainz), Salim Taleb (Hertha Berlin), Ahmed Atef (Al Ittihad Alexandria), Ahmed Waheed (Tala’ea El Gaish), Moaz Abdel Salam (Ghazl El Mahalla), Omar Abdel Meguid (Greuther Furth), Mohamed Abdel Nasser (Al Mokawloon Al Arab), Mohamed Abdullah (Al Ahly), Mohamed Essam (ENPPI), Omar Moawad (Al Ahly), Omar Khedr (ZED), Ahmed Sharaf (Al Masry).

Forwards: Mohamed Raafat (Al Ahly), Hamza Hassan (Wadi Degla).

Before Sedki’s appointment was confirmed, Egypt Football Association technical director Shawky Gharib oversaw the Olympic team on an interim basis.

Gharib led the team’s first training camp, which included physical and medical assessments but no friendly matches. He had previously been responsible for the side while the federation finalised its coaching structure.

Sedki is the latest in a series of coaches to lead Egypt’s Olympic team. Gharib, Hossam El Badry and Hany Ramzy have all held the role in recent years.

The Japan fixture will be Egypt’s first friendly under Sedki as the team begins its long-term build-up to the Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations on home soil.