The Portuguese head coach of the Egyptian national football team, Roy Vitoria, has been meticulously arranging the goalkeeper hierarchy for the Pharaohs ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast in 2024.
As the team currently engages in a closed training camp, the focus intensifies on clinching the elusive title that has eluded them for 14 years.
Roy Vitoria, in his deliberations, has identified Mohamed El-Shennawy, the first-choice goalkeeper for Al Ahly, as the primary custodian for the national team.
However, the battle for the secondary goalkeeper slot is heating up, with Mohamed Sobhi competing against Mohamed Abu Gabal and Ahmed El-Shennawy.
Vitoria is evidently swayed by the skills exhibited by Zamalek’s shot-stopper, Mohamed Abu Gabal.
Despite the fierce competition, sources reveal to Cairo 24 that Mohamed Abu Gabal is poised to secure the position of the second goalkeeper for the Egyptian national team, standing behind Mohamed El-Shennawy.
This decision is rooted in Abu Gabal’s international experience and his significant role in the team’s recent journey to the AFCON finals, qualifying them for the decisive match.
Commenting on the team’s recent training session, Mohamed Gharib, the director of the Egyptian national team, mentioned in a televised statement that the squad is almost complete, with 26 players present, except for Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward.
Salah’s delayed arrival, attributed to his recent English Premier League commitments, is anticipated by Thursday at the latest, as he joins the team to prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast 2023.
Gharib further commended the world-class facilities of Egypt’s Olympic Stadium, expressing satisfaction with the international standards it adheres to.
The necessary approvals from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and relevant authorities have been secured to host the preparatory camp for the Africa Cup of Nations at this distinguished venue.
