Egypt will host Sierra Leone in the 2012 African Cup of Nations (ACN) qualifiers on Sunday in Cairo. Egypt's assistant coach Shawqi Gharib on Wednesday described this opener in the qualifiers as "very tough". But he trusts that the national team, who won the ACN title last February for the third time in a row, are ready for the game, while they have been looking impressive during their training camp. Shawqi has called on the players to keep their eye on the ball, as they want to win this title for the fourth time in a row and an eighth time in total. President of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Samir Zaher has asked the team to try and avoid the same mistakes as happened during the World Cup qualifiers, urging the fans to support the national team. Egypt's coach Hassan Shehata has chosen 23 players for the game, although he has excluded Zamalek duo Amr Zaki and Shikabala, and Harras Al-Hodoud's Ahmed Eid from the squad. Eid has promised not to lose his temper on the pitch again, in the wake of his omission. Over a week ago, the 30-year-old was handed a four-match ban and an LE5,000 ($900) fine for misconduct in a 2-2 draw with Semouha in the local league. He pushed the referee's hand when he was about to raise a caution for him in the second half of the Egyptian Premier League match, causing the yellow card to fly away. His inappropriate reaction as well as angry shouts caused the referee to send him off. "I've told Eid many times that he's a very good player, but he needs to stop protesting about the refereeing," Shehata said. "How can I include a player who's been punished for misbehaving? That would be against my principles." Eid has apologised to Shehata and vowed to control himself during matches. "I'm sorry for what I've done and I promise that I'll never lose my composure again." Eid is renowned for a short fuse, which has seen him being red carded again andagain in the past few years. Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone team are likely to arrive in Cairo on Thursday, in order to start training ahead of the game. Sierra Leone's star marksman Mohamed Kallon has been ruled out due to injury. "I've decided not play against Egypt because I'm not fully fit to give out my best," the 30-year-old, who plies his trade at Chinese top division club Shaanxi Chanba FC, told BBC Sport. "I've just recovered from a knee injury that kept me out of action for almost two months and I only returned to action two weeks ago, so I need more time to regain full fitness. "I always love to play for my country and I'm not happy that I'll miss this important encounter; I'll pray for the other players to get a good result in Cairo. "If I'm fully fit, then I will make myself available for subsequent matches in the 2012 qualifiers …quot; if I'm called upon." Egypt and Sierra Leone are in Group G alongside South Africa and Niger.
