
Egypt's national soccer team coach Shawky Gharib (Photo: AP)
The Egyptian national team under the leadership of coach Shawky Gharib will be holding a training camp starting 25 August amid preparations for qualifiers for the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Morocco.
"The final squad will not be declared now as we are still watching the players, especially during the Egyptian Premier League mini-league phase that will be held this month," Gharib told Al-Ahram Sports on Tuesday.
Four teams have qualified from the two-group league round, Ahly and Smouha from Group A and Zamalek and Petrojet from Group B.
The Pharaohs, who failed to qualify for the last two successive editions of the tournament, will be competing in Group G with powerful Tunisia and Senegal alongside the winners of match 39 and 40. They'll kick off their qualifiers with an away showdown versus Senegal in September.
"I was planning to play more than one friendly game before the qualifier, but the engagements of Ahly and Zamalek in the African competitions will make it hard to play more than one," the 55-year-old tactician added.
"The doors to the national teams are still open to everyone [sic.]. All players have equal opportunities to join the team if they prove their worth," Gharib said.
Egypt has played two friendly games recently. They were held to a 2-2 draw against Jamaica on 5 June, six days before they lost 3-2 to Chile.
Gharib was appointed as Egypt's coach in November after the former manager, American Bob Bradley, resigned from his post upon failing to reach the 2014 World Cup.
Egypt are the record winners of the Nations Cup with seven titles under their belt, winning in 1957, 1959, 1986, 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
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