The seven-time African champions are set to kick off their qualifiers campaign on June 5th against Guinea at home before flying to Addis Ababa to play Ethiopia in the second round on June 9th.
Egypt’s national football team will be supported by 40,000 spectators.
“Security authorities officially informed us that 40,000 supporters will be allowed to attend Egypt’s first game in the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea at Cairo’s International Stadium,” read a statement by the EFA.
Egypt defender Ahmed Hegazi will not be available for the clash against Guinea.
The Ittihad Jeddah defender has just returned to action after around three months of absence due to a serious muscle injury that he picked up while playing with Egypt at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year.
“Hegazi underwent medical tests on Wednesday and the medical staff allowed him to resume his rehabilitation program in Spain,” the EFA said in a statement.
“If he fully recovers, he will join up with the team ahead of the Ethiopia”
Keeper El-Shennawy tests positive for COVID-19.
“Mohamed El-Shennawy has tested positive for COVID-19 and gone into isolation since yesterday,” read a statement by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) on Thursday.
The Pharaoh’s number 1 keeper had just returned from Morocco after playing with Ahly in the African Champions League final against Wydad Casablanca on Monday and joined Egypt’s base on Wednesday alongside six other Red Devil players.
The 33-year-old El-Shennawy is likely to miss the Guinea game at home but may be ready for the trip to Addis Ababa.
Pharaohs Coach Ehab Galal, who is set for his debut with Egypt, has included three other keepers in his squad; the 2021 Nations Cup hero “Gabaski” Abou Gabal (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Pharco FC), and Mahmoud Gaad (Enppi).
The Egyptian King “Salah” is ready!
The Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah arrived in Cairo on Wednesday after playing the Champions League final against Real Madrid on Saturday and retuning to Liverpool for a City parade a day later.
He joined Egypt’s camp early on Thursday and participated in the evening training session.
