Egypt are scheduled to face Cape Verde in the fifth round of the AFCON qualifiers on Friday. Just four days later, it will return home to host Botswana in the sixth round.

The Pharaohs' lineup saw the exciting debut of Smouha defender Mahmoud Ahmed Rabia and Ceramica Celopatara winger Mahmoud Abdel Hafiz Zalaka.

Additionally, the return of Ahly's dynamic winger, Taher Mohamed Taher, marks a significant inclusion after his stellar performances, in which he netted five goals and provided seven assists in all competitions with his club.

Taher, 27, previously appeared for Egypt in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, notably contributing to a crucial 3-2 victory over Tunisia during the group stage.

Coach Hossam Hassan strategically selected only four foreign-based players for the qualifiers: Al Wakrah midfielder Hamdy Fathy, Al Rayyan's winger Mahmoud Trezeguet, Eintracht Frankfurt's winger Omar Marmoush, and Nantes' striker Mostafa Mohamed.

However, Egypt will need the services of key players like Nice's defender Mohamed Abdel Moneim and Ahly's defensive duo Rami Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim, all sidelined due to injuries.

Egypt is currently leading Group C with a perfect record of 12 points from all their matches. As group winners, they have secured their spot in the tournament in Morocco.

Botswana is closely followed in second place with six points, while Cape Verde and Mauritania are in third and fourth place, each with three points.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the finals, setting the stage for an intense competition.

Egypt's 25-man squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir (Ahly), Mohamed Awad (Zamalek) and El Mahdi Soliman (Ittihad of Alexandria).

Defenders: Ahmed Ramadan (Ceramica Cleopatra), Hossam Abdel Maguid, Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah, Qatar), Mohamed Ahmed Rabia (Smouha), Mohamed Hamdy Sharaf (Pyramids), Ahmed Nabil Kouka (Ahly), Ahmed Eid (Masry).

Midfielders: Mahmoud Saber, Mostafa Fathi, Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids FC), Omar Kamal, Marwan Attia, Taher Mohamed Taher (Ahly), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Rayyan, Qatar), Nabil Emad, Nasser Maher (Zamalek), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Mahmoud Abdelhafiz Zalaka (Ceramica Celopatara).

Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes, France) and Osama Faisal (NBE Club).

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