Egypt may have to do without the players of Ahly and Zamalek when they face Bosnia in a friendly game next month due to the African Champions League commitments of the Cairo duo.

A sudden change of Champions League fixtures made it difficult for Egypt’s new boss Shawky Gharib to call up Ahly and Zamalek players for the Bosnia tie, which will be played on 5 March, according to Egyptian Football Association spokesman Azmy Megahed.

The last 16, first-leg matches were due to take place on 17, 18 and 19 March but were suddenly brought forward by African governing body CAF to 7, 8 and 9 March, few days after Egypt take on Bosnia in Austria.

“The Egyptian FA will discuss with coach Gharib that problem. We will also talk to the CAF and demand that they postpone the Champions League games so that we can have the players of Ahly and Zamalek available,” said Megahed.

The Bosnia friendly will mark the Egypt debut of Gharib, who took over at the Pharaohs following the departure of American boss Bob Bradley after the team failed to reach this year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

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