Egypt’s new head coach, Ali Maher, announced a 25-man squad on Sunday for the double header against Malawi, including ten overseas professionals such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, according to Vetogate.
Egypt’s new head coach, Ali Maher, announced on Sunday the list of players selected to face Malawi twice, according to Vetogate. A 25-name list, including ten professionals playing abroad, for a gathering that marks Ali Maher’s first steps at the helm of the Pharaohs.
Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush are among the ten expatriates expected, alongside Mohamed Abdelmonem, Ibrahim Adel, Haitham Hassan, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet, Hamza Abdelkarim, Hossam Abdelmagid, Rami Rabia and Omar Fayed. Fifteen players from the domestic league, including three goalkeepers, are expected to complete the group, according to the same source.
A squad still to be confirmed
The names are circulating, but official confirmation remains to be verified. The line-up is reported by Vetogate, the only source on the matter. The ten expatriates and the fifteen domestic league players should therefore be presented as expected, not as confirmed.
The total of 25 players is the figure reported by the Egyptian outlet. The report does not specify the names of the local goalkeepers selected.
Four points and top of the group
On the pitch, the Pharaohs began their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw against Angola, before running riot against South Sudan, thrashed 5-0. With 4 points, Egypt lead their group on goal difference ahead of Angola, according to Vetogate.
Malawi, the next opponents, have 3 points after two matchdays. South Sudan bring up the rear without a single point. The Egyptians have yet to concede a goal in these qualifiers.
The context of this campaign: AFCON 2027 is scheduled to be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Ali Maher was appointed head coach after the Egyptian federation parted ways with the twins Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan on Saturday.
Cairo then Bingu, in four days
The schedule is tight. The first leg will be played on Friday 13 November at Cairo International Stadium, at 21:00 Cairo time. The return leg will take place four days later, on Tuesday 17 November, at Bingu International Stadium, at 15:00 Malawi time.
Both matches count towards the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, whose final tournament is scheduled to be held in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.