Egypt's Ahmed Fathi (Photo: Reuters)
Egypt's long-time right winger and midfielder Ahmed Fathi has been ruled out of the Egyptian national team friendly game against Equatorial Guinea on Thursday in Petro-Sport Stadium in Cairo.
"Medical tests and scans have proven that Fathi has a leg muscle tear. The player needs treatment and rest," the Pharaohs medical staff announced through the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) official website Wednesday.
The former Ahly and Ismaily 30-year-old player sustained his injury Tuesday during the team's training under the leadership of new Argentinean manager Hector Cuper.
Qatari club Umm Salal player Fathi joined a list of Egyptian players injured this week and will be sidelined for the game, as will Zamalek playmaker Ayman Hefny, Ahly midfielder Walid Soliman, Rio Ave striker Ahmed 'Koka' and Zamalek keeper Ahmed El-Shennawy.
Cuper,59, is leading the Pharaohs for his first time appearance, after the dismissal of former coach Shawky Gharib.
The friendly comes amid the teams preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the winners of three successive AFCON trophies -2006, 2008 and 2010- failed to qualify for tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
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