Egypt national team will hold a preparatory camp for the 2017 African Cup of Nations finals for 10 days starting from 2 to 11 January, before travelling to Gabon to take part in the continental tournament, team director Ihab Leheta announced on Sunday. "We will travel to Gabon on 13 January, as the tournament's regulations say teams should arrive in the host country three days before their first game," Leheta told a radio programme early on Sunday. The Pharaohs have been drawn in Group D alongside Ghana, Mali and Uganda in the Nations Cup, which will run from 14 January to 5 February in Libreville, Franceville, Oyem and Port Gentil. "We have not yet determined the location of the preparatory camp, though it will be in Egypt as we choose between Cairo, Alexandria and Aswan." "The technical staff will announce the 23-man squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations by the second half of December, while Egypt's foreign-based players will be announced by the end of the month," Leheta added. "The foreign-based players who play in the English Premier League will be the last players to join the camp on 2 January due to their commitment with teams." Playing two friendlies during the camp Egypt have agreed with Tunisia to play a friendly on 8 January as they hold their training camp in Egypt ahead of the 2017 African Cup of Nations. The record holders with seven titles, Egypt made it to the finals after three absences since 2010, topping a three-team qualifying group featuring Nigeria and Tanzania, with Argentinean coach Hector Cuper fulfilling his first task at the helm. "We are trying to arrange two freindlies before the tournament and we will only face teams who take part in the Nations Cup," the Egypt national team director said, adding that "Coach Cuper has asked that there be no more trips so as not to cause exhaustion for the squad." Tunisia, who secured their place in the African Cup of Nations after hammering Liberia 4-1 at home to top the standings of Group A of the qualifiers with 13 points, two ahead of Togo, are reportedly scheduled to hold their camp in Barcelona. "It's difficult to face Tunisia in Spain as hope to play this friendly game ahead of the Nations Cup." "We are arranging to play friendlies with more African teams," Leheta concluded. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
