Ahly's off-form striker Marwan Mohsen was called up to Egypt's squad for next week's African Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger on Saturday after Olympiacos new signing Ahmed Kouka sustained an injury. The Egyptian Football Association said on its Twitter feed that Mohsen and Wadi Degla midfielder Mohamed Mahmoud had replaced Kouka and Wigan Athletic midfielder Sam Morsy respectively after both were injured. Mohsen was Egypt's only out-and-out striker at the summer World Cup but he drew a blank in three defeats against Uruguay, hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia. The 29-year-old, who plays second-fiddle to Ahly's Moroccan marksman Walid Azaro, made one Egyptian league appearance in the team's opening four games of the season. Kouka, who joined Greek giants Olympiacos from Portugal's Sporting Braga in the summer, was left out of Egypt's squad for the World Cup. Local reports said he sustained a groin injury a few days after he was selected for the Niger game. New coach Javier Aguirre will make his debut when the Pharaohs host Niger in their second Group J game in Alexandria next Saturday. The record seven-time African champions lost 1-0 to Tunisia away from home in their opening game. Mexican Aguirre succeeded Argentinean coach Hector Cuper, who led Egypt to their first World Cup appearance in 28 years but left following an embarrassing showing in Russia. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
