Hassan Shehata has chosen 30 players to represent Egypt during the upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers, which include four matches in June. The African champions will start their qualifying campaign against DR Congo on June 1st, followed by games against Djibouti and Malawi (twice) in successive weekends of June. The 30-man list included Zamalek ace Shikabala, who was selected for the first time since his one-year ban in July 2007. Even though the 22-year-old still has two months to serve, the Egyptian FA accepted Shehata's plea to lift his ban. A host of uncapped players were handed rare call-ups, including ENPPI trio Ahmed Raouf, Islam Awad and Abdul-Aziz Tawfeek. Whereas Ahli skipper Shadi Mohamed was overlooked, despite being a key member of Egypt's 2008 African Cup of Nations victory in Ghana.
Shikabala returns to Egypt squad Egypt Squad: Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Sion, Switzerland), Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (Zamalek), Amir Abdul-Hamid (Ahli), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili). Defenders: Wael Gomaa (Ahli), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Hani Saied (Ismaili), Mohamed Abdul-Shafi (Ghazl Mahalla), Abdul-Aziz Tawfeek, Ahmed Mohammadi (ENPPI), Amir Azmi (Anorthosis, Cyprus). Midfielders: Mohamed Abou-Treika, Hassan Mostafa (Ahli), Shikabala, Mohamed Ibrahim (Zamalek), Hosni Abd-Rabou, Abdullah Al-Saied, Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaili), Abdul-Salam Nagah, Hani Saied (Harras), Islam Awad (ENPPI), Ahmed Hassan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham, England). Strikers: Emad Meteb (Ahli), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili), Ahmed Abdul-Malek (Harras), Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg, Germany), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI).
