“All the team players tested negative for coronavirus. The technical staff members also tested negative for the virus yesterday,” read a short statement by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) via facebook.

In July, the EFA signed a four-year contract with the former Benfica coach Vitoria, 52, to replace Ehab Galal who was fired after just three matches on the job.

During the preparatory camp, the Egyptian team will play two friendly games against Niger and Liberia on 23 and 27 September respectively.

On 31 August, Vitoria has announced a preliminary 24-man squad of local-based players for the two friendly games, before adding Ittihad Jeddah midfielder Tarek Hamed, Ipswich Town's defensive midfielder Sam Morsy and Olympiacos striker Ahmed 'Kouka' Hassan to the squad four days later.

Zamalek players were absent from the announced squad as they are currently preparing to face Elect-Sport FC of Chad in the preliminary round of the African Champions League on 17 September.

Egypt’s final squad for the Niger and Liberia tests will be announced on 17 September after Zamalek and other foreign-based players, including skipper and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, become available.

Egypt, who failed to reach the Qatar World Cup finals after an agonising shootout loss to Senegal in a two-legged playoff in March, will also face Belgium in a friendly in November.

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