Despite qualifying early for the World Cup, Egypt has called up the typical 16 foreign-based players for the redundant Ghana game on 12 November, 2017 except for Amr Marei who received his first call-up.
The Egyptian national team technical staff, under the direction of Argentinean coach, Hector Cuper, has called up 16 foreign-based players for the Ghana match in the last round of the African qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup, giving Amr Marei his first-ever call-up.
The team, who has already clinched the qualifying ticket in Group E, will hold a training camp in the UAE, playing the hosts in a friendly on 9 November, 2017 three days before the Ghana game in Cape Coast.
The Pharaohs, who have already qualified for their third World Cup and their first since 1990, topped the group with 12 points, four before second-placed Uganda, after they clinched a dramatic 2-1 home victory over Congo early this month.
The Ghana-Egypt match on 12 November is redundant for both sides in terms of qualification, but it could be used by Egypt’s Argentinean coach to try new tactics or players.
The foreign-based squad hasn’t seen any major changes, except for the first call-up for striker Amr Marei after he inspired Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel to make it to the African Champions League semi-finals, before Egypt’s Ahly eliminated them on Sunday with a 7-4 aggregate win.
Saudi Taawoun’s attacking midfielder Mostafa Fathi has been left out due to injury, being replaced by Amr Warda of Portuguese club CD Feirense, who missed the Congo squad.
Today Sports
…with Gottlieb Baako
