Coach Hassan Shehata excluded Konyaspor striker Ahmed Belal and Enppi midfielder Samir Sabri from Egypt's squad for this month's African Cup of Nations. Shehata named six strikers on Monday in his 23-man squad for the continent's top competition, including veteran Hossam Hassan. The Egyptian squad included only four Europe-based players as opposed to 10 players from Egyptian champions Ahli, 5 from Zamalek and a player each from Ismaili, Enppi and Harras Al-Hodoud. Belal's omission from the squad came after Zamalek opposite number Abdul-Halim Ali scored both goals in Egypt's last friendly victory over Zimbabwe. Enppi goalkeeper Mostafa Kamal, Ittihad defender Mohamed “Hamada” Youssef and Ahli winger Ahmed Abou-Mosallam, who recently signed for French outfit Strasbourg, were rebuffed by Shehata. Shehata's selection may come under scrutiny due to the excessive number of forwards named. The Egyptian team will commence a closed training program on Wednesday during which they will undergo two daily practice sessions up until the tournament kick-off.
Belal didn't make the final cut Egypt will face South Africa on Saturday in their final rehearsal for the African Cup. Skipper Hossam Hassan sustained a knee injury in Sunday's practice and will require a three-day rehabilitation period and is set to miss Saturday's clash. Egypt's squad: Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ahli) Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (both Zamalek) Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Abdul-Wahab (all Ahli), Ibrahim Saied, Tarek Al-Sayed (both Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi (Ismaili), Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa (Konyaspor, Turkey) Midfielders: Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mohamed Shawqi, Hassan Mostafa (all Ahli), Ahmed Eid Abdul-Malek (Harras Al-Hodoud), Ahmed Hassan (Besiktas, Turkey), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Strasbourg, France) Strikers: Emad Meteb, Osama Hosni (both Ahli), Abdul-Halim Ali (Zamalek), Hossam Hassan (Masri), Amr Zaki, (Enppi), Ahmed Hossam “Mido” (Tottenham, England)
