Egypt coach Vitoria announces final squad for AFCON 2023; veterans El Shahat and El-Said left out

Egypt's national team coach Rui Vitoria revealed the final squad for the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, with seasoned players Hussien El Shahat and Abdallah El-Said not making the cut.

Mahmoud Elassal , Saturday 30 Dec 2023,

Egypt coach Vitoria. EFA

Scheduled to take place in Cote d'Ivoire from 13 January to 11 February 2024, the Pharaohs' AFCON campaign will commence on 14 January against Mozambique.

Egypt, boasting a record seven titles in the Africa Cup of Nations, will then face Ghana in the second round of Group B matches on 18 January, concluding the group stage with a game against Cape Verde on 22 January.

Vitoria's selected squad notably omits wingers Abdallah El-Saied and Ramadan Sobhi from Pyramids FC, as well as Ahly's talented winger Hussien El Shahat, midfielder Mohamed 'Afsha' Magdi, Zamalek's defender Mahmoud 'El-Wensh' Hamdi, and Khaleej FC's striker Mohamed Sherif.

The squad, however, welcomes back Turkish Pendikspor forward Ahmed Hassan Kouka, who returns after a significant absence.

Kouka had only made one appearance under Vitoria's leadership during the 4-0 victory over Malawi in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers last March.

In a notable inclusion, Vitoria has also called upon 22-year-old Ahmed Nabil Koka from Ahly, granting him the opportunity to make his debut in the prestigious continental tournament.

Egypt’s 27-man squad for AFCON 2023:

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Abu Gabal (NBE Club).

Defenders: Ahmed Hegazi (Ittihad Jeddah- Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hani (Ahly), Ali Gabr, Osama Galal, Ahmed Sami, Mohamed Hamdi (Pyramids FC), Omar Kamal (Modern Future FC) and Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek).

Midfielders: Emam Ashour, Ahmed Nabil Koka, Marwan Attia (Ahly), Hamdi Fathi (Al-Wakrah SC – Qatar), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal – England), Ahmed “Zizo” Sayed (Zamalek) and Mahmoud Hamada (Masry).

Strikers: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool - England), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt – Germany), Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan (Trabzonspor – Turkey), Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes – France), Mahmoud 'Kahraba' Abdel-Moneim (Ahly) and Ahmed 'Kouka' Hassan (Pendikspor - Turkey).

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