Zamalek striker Mostafa Gaafar has earned his first call for the national side after being named in Egypt's squad preparing for the friendly game with Spain on June third. The 25-year-old forward was a member of the 27-man provisional squad announced by Egypt manager Hassan Shehata on Sunday. Gaafar scored nine times for Zamalek in the league after joining from Baladeya last season and currently placed third in the Egyptian League top-scorers' list after Mohamed Abou-Treika and Abdul-Halim Ali. Uncapped Sherif Al-Beyali of Arab Contractors, Ghazl Mahalla duo Ahmed Al-Muhammadi and Mahmoud Fathalla, and Feyenoord keeper Sherif Ekrami got the nod for the game set to be staged in the Spanish city of Elche. Egypt assistant coach Shawki Gharib said that the squad will be reduced to 22 players by the end of the round of 16 in the Egyptian Cup and just before the team head to Spain on May 29th. Lokomotiv Moscow striker Amr Zaki was left out through injury while Tottenham Hotspur forward Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' has been dropped due to suspension.
Gaafar The friendly against Spain -- Egypt's first since the African Cup of Nations -- will not be considered in the FIFA monthly ranking. The Full Squad: Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ahli), Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (Zamalek), Mostafa Kamal (Enppi), Sherif Ekrami (Feyenoord/Holland). Defenders: Emad Al-Nahhas, Wael Gomaa, Mohamed Abdul-Wahab (Ahli), Mohamed 'Hamada' Youssef (Ittihad), Hani Saied (Masri), Ahmed Fathi (Ismaili), Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa (Konyaspor/Turkey), Ahmed Abou-Mosallam (Strasbourg/France). Midfielders: Hassan Mostafa, Mohamed Shawki, Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika (Ahli), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (Ghazl Mahalla), Sherif Al-Beyali (Arab Contractors), Moetazbellah Mohamed 'Eno' (Zamalek), Ahmed Hassan (Besiktas/Turkey), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Strasbourg/France). Strikers: Emad Meteb (Ahli), Abdul-Halim Ali, Mostafa Gaafar (Zamalek), Ahmed Eid (Harras Al Hodoud).
