Egypt national team coach Shawky Gharib (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Egypt coach Shawky Gharib has refused an offer to play a friendly match against Colombia on 7 June, state-run news agency MENA reported late on Friday.
Egypt's national team is set to play against Chile in a friendly match on 30 May in the South American country. The Pharaohs also are preparing for a second friendly against an unnamed team – the main reason for Gharib's rejection of Colombia.
"It was difficult to face Colombia on that date while we are preparing for another friendly match on 3, 4 or 5 June. The continental commitments of both Ahly and Zamalek players was also a reason to refuse the offer," Gharib was quoted as saying by MENA.
The Egyptian team has its first international commitment in September – the first round of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Pharaohs had their debut under new coach Gharib last month when they claimed a 2-0 win over World Cup finalists Bosnia in a friendly match in Austria.
Gharib replaced former coach Bob Bradley in November following the failure of the seven-time African champions to reach this year's World Cup finals in Brazil.
Under Gharib's helm, Egypt is hoping to usher in a new era of continental success, after the retirement of several figures from its golden era such as Mohamed Abou-Treika and Ahmed Hassan.
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