Egypt to unveil Ali Maher as new head coach before Malawi qualifiers

The Egyptian Football Association will hold a news conference on Wednesday to officially present Ali Maher as the new head coach of the Egypt national team.

The event will take place at 13:00 at the National Teams Centre in 6 October City. Maher has replaced Hossam Hassan and has already overseen his first training session, which was held on Monday.

Maher’s first squad includes the return of Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Nasser Maher and Pyramids duo Mahmoud Marei and Ibrahim Adel.

Modern Sport forward Mahmoud Mamdouh has received his first call-up after becoming the leading scorer in the Egyptian Premier League with 8 goals.

Imam Ashour has been left out for technical reasons, while Abdel Aziz El Balouty was dropped after El Shenawy returned to the squad. Omar Fayed is also missing after being called up during the previous international break as cover for the injured Hamdy Fathy.

Hamdy Fathy, who plays for Al Wakrah, remains unavailable because of injury. Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud, who made his international debut during the previous break, has also not been selected.

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

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

The squad is:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mehdi Soliman, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Alaa.

Defenders: Mahmoud Hamdy El Wensh, Hossam Abdel Meguid, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mahmoud Marei, Mohamed Hany, Karim Hafez, Ahmed Fattouh, Tarek Alaa.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohand Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shehata, Nasser Maher, Ibrahim Adel, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet”, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Haitham Hassan.

Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim, Mahmoud Mamdouh.

Egypt are in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi. They lead the section with 4 points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third with 3 points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.

Egypt began the campaign with a goalless draw against Angola in Cairo before securing a 5-0 away victory over South Sudan.