Ghana’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group opponent, Egypt has named a 27-man provisional squad ahead of the competition.
National team coach Hector Cuper’s squad has 11 foreign-based players led by AS Roma kingpin Mohammed Sallah with the rest emerging from the Egyptian Premier League.
Zamalek forward Bassem Morsy, a starter in the 2-0 victory over Ghana in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers two months ago is the surprise omission from the Pharaohs list as reports claim he fell out with the coaching staff.
Meanwhile, the Argentine coach has handed surprise call-ups to Zamalek’s Mohamed Ibrahim, Al Masry striker Ahmed Gomaa & Ismaily goalkeeper Mohamed Awad.
Egypt’s squad boasts of only four players who have previously featured at the continental showpiece – Essam El-Hadary, Ahmed Elmohamady, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy and Ahmed Fathi.
Egypt opens camp for the Afcon preparations January 1.
Egypt’s 27-man provisional list:
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shennawy, Essam El-Hadary, Sherif Ekramy, Mohamed Awad.
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Ahmed Elmohamady, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Karim Hafez, Hamada Tolba, Ahmed Hegazy, Saad Samir, Ahmed Dweidar, Ali Gabr, Omar Gaber.
Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Ibrahim Salah, Abdallah El-Said, Amr Warda, Ramadan Sobhi, Mohamed Ibrahim, Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’.
Forwards: Ahmed Hassan ‘Koka’, Ahmed Gomaa, Marwan Mohsen, Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim ‘Kahraba’, Mohamed Salah.