Ahli striker Osama Hosni was dropped from the Egyptian squad for the African Cup of Nations due to injury, national team trainer Hamada Sedki said on Saturday. Hosni sustained a thigh injury that will sideline him for three weeks, which rules him out of the African Cup Sedki explained to Filgoal.com. Enppi midfielder Samir Sabri will replace Hosni in Egypt's squad for the African tournament that will kick-off on Friday. “We preferred calling up Sabri to replace Hosni since we already have enough forwards in our roster,” said Sedki.
Samir Sabri got a second chance “The coaching staff agreed that a midfielder would be more beneficial for the team at this point,” he added. Hosni, who had already been nursing an injury, was hurt on his return to training on Friday. Sabri, who was previously omitted from coach Hassan Shehata's initial squad for the tournament, rejoined his teammates following Saturday's friendly against South Africa. Egypt lost to South Africa 2-1 in the final warm-up for the African Cup of Nations that begins on Friday. The four-time African champions kick-off their campaign by facing Libya in the opening match on Friday.
