Egypt have been dealt two injury blows ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, slated to commence in Ivory Coast on January 13.
Al Ahly midfielder Ahmed “Kouka” Nabil and Pyramids FC defender Osama Galal have both picked up injuries while at the team’s training base in the New Administrative Capital in Cairo.
Nabil suffered a ligament tear in his foot, while Galal has picked up a knee injury following confirmations from an x-ray carried out on Wednesday.
Ahmed Nabil has picked up a ligament injury and will not be making his Egypt debut at AFCON. He is out, according to reports.
Who should replace him? https://t.co/M3vif7bpkT
— Pharaohs XI ???????????????? (@PharaohsXI) January 3, 2024
Rui Vitoria, head coach of the Pharaohs, has immediately called upon Pyramids midfielder Mohanad Lasheen, one of the members of the Egyptian side that finished second in 2021, to replace Nabil, while 31-year-old Al Ahly centre back Yasser Ibrahim will replace Galal.
Another injury from Egypt camp. Osama Galal is now out of #AFCON2023 and will be replaced by Yasser Ibrahim. CB for CB. https://t.co/MHLV5JhpTE
— Pharaohs XI ???????????????? (@PharaohsXI) January 3, 2024
However, it was not all doom for the North Africans, as they were handed a major boost with the goalkeeping duo of Mohamed El-Shenawy and Ahmed El-Shenawy returning to light training.
Egypt are expected to take on the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in a friendly game on Sunday, January 7, as part of preparations for their AFCON opener.
The seven-time winners are drawn in Group B alongside Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. They will open their 26th AFCON against the Mambas in January before taking on the Black Stars and the Blue Sharks on January 18 and 22, respectively.
EGYPT’S UPDATED SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids), Gabaski (National Bank of Egypt), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek).
Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ittihad), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Al Ahly), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Ali Gabr (Pyramids), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Ahmed Samy (Pyramids), Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids), Omar Kamal (Future), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek).
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Zizo (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamada (Al Masry).
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids), Trezeguet (Trabzonspor), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes), Kahraba (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hassan (Pendikspor).
