Mohamed Barakat has been recalled for Egypt's game against Burundi in the African Cup qualifiers after more than a year of absence. Egypt manager Hassan Shehata named on Saturday Barakat among a 25-man squad, who will also play Japan in a friendly. The Ahli midfielder hasn't played an international game since Egypt lost to Spain prior the 2006 World Cup due to a string of injuries. The African Champions will play Botswana on October 13th in the last qualifier for Ghana 2008 and visits Japan four days later. Zamalek striker Amr Zaki was also included in the squad despite announcing he quit football on Friday. Hamburg's Mohamed Zidan and Middlesbrough midfielder Mohamed Shawky were the only European-based players recalled for the two games.
Zidan Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' misses the game with a hamstring injury while captain Ahmed Hassan serves a three-game suspension handed by CAF. The full squad: Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ahli), Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (Zamalek), Amir Tawfeeq (Suez Cement) Defenders: Hani Saied, Sayed Moawad (Ismaili), Shadi Mohamed, Wael Gomaa (Ahli), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI), Osama Mohamed (Petrojet) Midfielders: Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough), Abdul-Salam Nagah (Harras Al-Hodoud), Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mohamed Barakat, Hassan Mostafa (all Ahli), Hosni Abd-Rabou, Omar Gamal (Ismaili), Hassan Awad, Gomaa Mashour (Al-Gaish), Ahmed Zahran (Arab Contractors) Strikers: Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili), Emad Meteb (Ahli), Ahmed Hassan (Ghazl Mahalla)
