Egypt’s El-Wensh to miss AFCON’s Sudan clash due to muscle injury

Mahmoud Elassal , Monday 17 Jan 2022

Egypt’s defender Mahmoud El-Wensh Hamdi will not be joining the rest of the Pharaohs in the final game of the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage with Sudan due to an anterior muscle strain, according to a statement from the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

Egypt s defender Mahmoud El Wensh Hamdy (L) and Nigeria s forward Taiwo Awoniyi (R) jump for the ball during the Group D Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Nigeria and Egypt at Stade Roumde Adjia in Garoua on January 11, 2022. (Photo by Daniel BELOUMOU OLOMO / AFP)

The 26-year-old defender could not return to the pitch for the second half of the game with Guinea Bissau — which Egypt won 1-0 — on Saturday due to the injury.

“Medical scans have shown that El-Wensh suffers from an anterior muscle strain. He will be missing the game against Sudan in the final game of AFCON’s group stage,” read a statement by the EFA on Monday.

Egypt lie second on Group D’s table with three points, three behind leaders and already-qualified Nigeria. Guinea-Bissau and Sudan have one point apiece.

The Pharaohs only need a draw against Sudan on Wednesday to qualify for the last 16.

The national team made a disappointing start to their campaign in the AFCON, losing 1-0 to Nigeria in their opening Group D clash last Tuesday before beating Guinea-Bissau 1-0.

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