African Nations Cup Qualifier - Egypt v Niger - Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria, Egypt - September 8, 2018 Niger's Sidibe Modibo in action with Egypt's Baher El Mohamady (REUTERS)
Egypt's national team travelled on Thursday to Niamey to play Niger on Saturday in the final game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Pharaohs already secured their berth in the elite African competition last year alongside group leaders Tunisia, even before being granted the hosting rights of the tournament earlier this year.
The team has started the preparation camp on Monday and all the players were available on Thursday morning after the arrival of Zamalek's trio Mahmoud Alaa, Tarek Hamed and Mahmoud ‘Genesh’ Abdel-Rehim, who played a league game against Arab Contractors on Wednesday.
Coach Javier Aguirre has opted to rest key figures Mohamed Salah and Ahmed Hegazi, while naming five uncapped players among several changes in the squad.
Defender Ahmed Fatouh, wingers Ammar Hamdi and Abdel-Rahman Magdi, midfielder Eman ‘Dunga’ Nabil and striker Mostafa Mohamed have been given the opportunity to launch their international career.
Goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawi, defenders Karim Hafez, Mahmoud Alaa and Omar Gaber and midfielder Amr El-Sulaya have also been included by Aguirre for the first time since he took over last August.
The Pharaohs will face Niger on Saturday before playing Nigeria on Tuesday.
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