Egypt coach Hector Cuper has announced a 27-man provisional squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations. Zamalek striker Bassem Morsi – who has been the main striker in the past two games against Congo and Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers – is a surprise omission from the list. Striker Marwan Mohsen has been called up after recovering from a lengthy injury layoff, having established himself as Ahly's first-choice frontman. Zamalek playmaker Mohamed Ibrahim made the cut after also recovering from a knee injury that has sidelined him since July. Uncapped Masry winger Ahmed Gomaa was a surprise addition to the list. The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will kick off on 14 January in Gabon. Cuper is expected to announce his 23-man final squad within the next 10 days. Squad: Keepers: Ahmed El-Shennawi (Zamalek), Essam El-Hadary (Wadi Degla), Mohamed Awad (Ismaily) and Sherif Ekramy (Ahly). Defenders: Ahmed Dwidar (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City, England), Ahmed Fathi (Ahly), Ahmed Hegazy (Ahly), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Hamada Tolba (Masry), Karim Hafez (Racing Club de Lens - France), Mohamed Abdel-Shafi (Ahly Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Omar Gaber (FC Basel, Switzerland) and Saad Samir (Ahly). Midfielders: Abdallah El-Said (Ahly), Ahmed Gomaa (Masry), Amr Warda (Panetolikos, Greece), Ibrahim Salah (Zamalek), Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan (Mouscron, Belgium), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Mohamed Ibrahim (Zamalek), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek) and Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England) Forwards: Ahmed Hassan 'Kouka' (Braga, Portugal), Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim 'Kahraba' (Ahly Jeddah, Saudi Arabia), Marwan Mohsen (Ahly) and Mohamed Salah (AS Roma, Italy). (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports)
