Egypt boss Hassan Shehata has selected 23 players for next month’s African Cup of Nations, surprisingly leaving out Zamalek striker Mido.
Mido, who made the provisional squad, was tipped to replace injured Zamalek teammate Amr Zaki in Shehata’s attacking department.
However, the 26-year-old was omitted from the final squad and the reasons behind his exclusion are yet to be known.
Zamalek doctor Mostafa Al-Monayeri said on the club’s official website that the towering frontman, who took part in Tuesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Malawi, did not suffer from any injury problems.
Eight other players didn’t make the list, including Ahli trio Ahmed Adel, Mostafa Shebeita and Sherif Abdul-Fadil.
There was also no place for Petrojet duo Walid Soliman and Mohamed Shaaban, Zamalek winger Hazem Emam and Ismaili full-back Ahmed Samir Farag.
On the other hand, Zamalek defender Mohamed Abdul-Shafi and Ittihad playmaker Mohamed Nagi ‘Geddo’ are among the new faces.
Egypt Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ismaili), Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud (Mansoura).
Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Fathi (Ahli), Mahmoud Fathallah, Hani Saied, Mohamed Abdul-Shafi (Zamalek), Moatassem Salem (Ismaili), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI), Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa (Eskisehirspor, Turkey).
Midfielders: Ahmed Hassan (Ahli), Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdul-Aziz Tawfik (ENPPI), Ahmed Eid (Harras Hodoud), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Ahli, UAE), Hossam Ghaly (Nassr, Saudi Arabia).
Strikers: Emad Meteb (Ahli), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Al-Sayed Hamdi (Petrojet), Geddo (Ittihad), Mohamed Zidan (Dortmund, Germany).
