As Egypt open their African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifying campaign against Senegal on Friday, coach Shawky Gharib is still undecided over the African heavyweight’s final lineup.

“The competition between local and foreign based players in the Pharaohs training session made Gharib undecided over the team's lineup for the game against Senegal on Friday,” read a statement on the Egyptian Football Association’s website on Thursday, one day before the crucial game.

"Gharib is waiting for tonight's training session to name his final lineup for the Senegal match," the statement added.

Under the helm of Gharib, the Pharaohs aim to restore their pride after two failed attempts to reach the biennial tournament.

Egypt can hardly afford another stunning failure to reach a tournament they had won a record seven times as they open their qualifying campaign with a squad overhaul masterminded by Shawky Gharib.

In the 2015 CAN qualifiers, Egypt will play in Group G alongside Tunisia, Senegal and Botswana.

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