Mohamed Salah joins Egypt squad for Malawi double-header

Mohamed Salah has joined the Egypt camp ahead of the team’s two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Malawi on 13 and 17 November.

The Egypt captain arrived on Tuesday morning and is expected to take part in the team’s training session as preparations begin for the third and fourth rounds of the qualifying campaign.

New Egypt manager Ali Maher welcomed Salah to the camp.

The squad includes the return of Al Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, Mahmoud Hamdy “El Wensh” and Nasser Maher, as well as Pyramids pair Mahmoud Marei and Ibrahim Adel.

Modern Sport striker Mahmoud Mamdouh has received his first call-up after becoming the Egyptian Premier League’s leading scorer with eight goals.

Imam Ashour remains out for technical reasons, while goalkeeper Abdel Aziz El Balouty has been left out following El Shenawy’s return to the squad.

Omar Fayed, who was called up during the previous international break to replace the injured Hamdy Fathy, is also absent.

Hamdy Fathy, who plays for Al Wakrah, misses out because of injury, while Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud has not been selected after making his Egypt debut during the previous international break.

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

Egypt squad

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 Fatouh, 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 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi.

They lead the group with four points, ahead of Angola on goal difference. Malawi are third on three points, while South Sudan are bottom without a point.

Egypt drew 0-0 with Angola in Cairo before recording a 5-0 away victory against South Sudan.