Striker Mohamed Zidan will partner Ahmed Abdel-Zaher upfront in Egypt's crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa.

ENPPI's Abdel-Zaher has been given a rare start due to the absence of duo Amr Zaki of Zamalek and Emad Meteb of Ahly.

Zamalek's in-form attacking midfielder Shikabala will probably act as a deep-lying forward to support Zidan and Abdel-Zaher.

Skipper Ahmed Hassan, who recently returned from a long injury layoff, will start on the bench as Shehata opted to field Ismaily's Hosni Abd-Rabou and Ahly's Ahmed Fathi in the heart of midfield.

Egypt's line-up:

Goalkeeper: Essam El-Hadary

Defenders: Mahmoud Fathallah, Wael Gomaa, Hossam Ghaly

Midfielders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Hosni Abd-Rabou, Ahmed Fathi, Sayed Moawad, Shikabala

Strikers: Ahmed Abdel-Zaher, Mohamed Zidan