Egypt's new coach Javier Aguirre announced on Wednesday a 13-man local-based squad for next month's anticipated Niger match, introducing six new faces after dropping a host of veteran players in Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Walid Soliman and Mahmoud Kahraba. The Pharaohs are preparing to host Niger in the second round of the 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifiers on 8 September.
Ahly trio Fathi, Samir and Soliman were left out along with Zamalek's Kahraba even though they used to be regular choices under Argentinean tactician Hector Cuper.
Seemingly aiming to bring down the average age of the squad, Aguirre called up defender Mohamed Hani and striker Salah Mohsen from Ahly, Dakhlya winger Eslam Gaber, Ismaily right-back Baher Elmohamdy, Ismaily winger Mohamed Sadek and Pyramids left-back Mohamed Hamdy.
On 23 August, Mexican coach Aguirre, who succeeded Cuper as Egypt boss last month, called up 13 foreign-based players for the first camp under his helm.
Egypt are fourth in the 2019 CAN qualifiers Group J with no points after losing their opening game 1-0 to Tunisia last June.
Egypt's full squad for Niger match: Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shenawi (Ahly), Mahmoud Abdel-Rehim (Zamalek), Mohamed Awad (Al-Wehda, Saudi Arabia) Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy (West Bromwich, England), Amr Tarek (Orlando City, USA), Ali Ghazal (Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Canada), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, England), Ali Gabr (Pyramids), Mohamed Hani (Ahly), Baher Elmohamdy (Ismaily), Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids), Ayman Ashraf (Ahly) Midfielders: Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, England), Sam Morsi (Wigan, England), Ramadan Sobhi (Huddersfield Town, England), Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Amr Warda (Olympiacos, Greece), Hussein El-Shahat (Al-Ain, UAE), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Eslam Gaber (Dakhlya), Mohamed Sadek (Ismaily) Forwards: Ahmed Koka (Olympiacos, Greece), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England).Hossam Hassan (Smouha), Salah Mohsen (Ahly), Ahmed Gomaa (Masry) (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
