The Pharaohs will face Belgium on Friday 18 November in Kuwait as the Belgian side are preparing for the World Cup.

“We will have a very tough clash Belgium,” Vitoria told a news conference on Thursday.

“We will face the World's number 2 according to the FIFA ranking. 

“This is true that playing against a tough team like Belgium would be a big risk but it is important to test your team against a tough opponent.”

The Portuguese coach explained his choices for the upcoming training camp that will start on 7 November.

Vitoria named a preliminary list of 24 local-based players without those of Pyramids FC and Future FC.

The list saw many surprises with the calling-up of Ittihad of Alexandria defender Mahmoud Alaa and Zamalek out-of-favor fullback Abdallah Gomaa.

He also handed Harras El-Hodoud winger Mostafa Abdel-Raouf his first call-up for the Egyptian National team.  

Meanwhile, the Portuguese coach also snubbed Ahly’s in form winger Karim Fouad despite his recent dazzling performances.

“The Pharaohs’ door is open for all players and my choices confirm this fact,” Vitoria added.

“We called-up Mahmoud Alaa due to his experience, while Abdallah Gomaa is a promising player.”

“Abdel-Raouf is a very good player. He convinced me with his performance and his call-up is a message for all players that we will choose any players even if he plays for a newly promoted side.”  

“Karim Fouad is a good player and he joined the Pharaohs’ previous training camp.

“I know his capacities and I wanted to test another player in his post.”

The Portuguese coach is yet to reveal his foreign-based players’ list but he confirmed that he would name his final 24 players-list on 12 November before heading to Kuwait.    

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