Egypt recall five players for Malawi qualifiers as top scorer Mahmoud Mamdouh earns first call-up

Ali Maher has named his first Egypt squad since replacing Hossam Hassan, with five players recalled and Egyptian Premier League top scorer Mahmoud Mamdouh included for the first time ahead of the two Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Malawi.

Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Zamalek defender Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh”, Zamalek midfielder Mohamed Shehata, and Pyramids pair Nasser Mansi and Mahmoud Marei return to the national team.

Mamdouh, who plays for Modern Sport, has been rewarded for leading the Egyptian Premier League scoring charts with eight goals.

The squad does not include Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who remains absent for technical reasons. National team regulars Hamdy Fathy of Al Wakrah are also missing through injury, while Mustafa Ziko was left out after Fifa suspended him for five matches because of comments he made following Egypt’s match against Argentina.

Frosinone defender Omar Fayed has also been omitted after joining the squad during the previous international break as a replacement for the injured Hamdy Fathy.

Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud, who made his first international appearance during that previous break, is not included this time. Mohamed Shehata takes his place in the squad.

Riyadh forward Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” returns after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of the last international window. However, Konyaspor striker Mostafa Mohamed continues to be left out, having not featured for Egypt since the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Egypt squad

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

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

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohand Lasheen (Pyramids), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Nasser Mansi (Pyramids), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (Riyadh), Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” (Al Ahly), Haitham Hassan (Celtic).

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor), Omar Marmoush (Tottenham), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona), Mahmoud Mamdouh (Modern Sport).

Egypt will play Malawi on 13 and 17 November in the third and fourth rounds of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The four teams in Group B are Egypt, Angola, South Sudan and Malawi. Egypt lead the section with four points, ahead of 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 against Angola in Cairo before recording a 5-0 away victory over South Sudan.