AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Group B rivals Egypt call up big guns for warm-up match

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AFCON 2025: Bafana Bafana Group B rivals Egypt call up big guns for warm-up match
Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Egypt and Cape Verde held at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt on 06 September 2024 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix - Photo by Icon Sport

Egypt have named a full-strength squad for this month’s four-nation tournament in the United Arab Emirates as they ramp up preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, where they will face South Africa in Group B.

Coach Hossam Hassan has selected 26 players for the Al Ain International Cup, with the Pharaohs set to take on fellow World Cup finalists Uzbekistan on November 14, followed by a clash against either Cape Verde or Iran on November 18.

The squad features a mix of experience and fresh talent. Pyramids goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy returns for the first time since the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, while striker Salah Mohsen earns a recall after four years.

Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is back from injury, and there are first-time call-ups for Zamalek defender Mohamed Ismail and Ceramica Cleopatra midfielder Marwan Osman.

The team is captained by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, with Ligue 1 striker Mostafa Mohamed also included.

Egypt are drawn in Group B alongside Angola, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, with their opening match set for December 22 against Zimbabwe in Agadir. The clash against Bafana Bafana is expected to be one of the group’s marquee fixtures.

Bafana Bafana to Face Zambia in Key AFCON Warm-Up

As part of their own AFCON 2025 preparations, South Africa will play Zambia in a friendly international later this month, giving coach Hugo Broos a chance to fine-tune his squad ahead of the continental showpiece.

The match is expected to provide valuable insight into Bafana’s readiness, especially with tough group fixtures against Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe looming.

Egypt Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids), Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir (both Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek)

Defenders: Hossam Abdelmaguid, Ahmed Fatouh (both Zamalek), Mohamed Hamdi (Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Mohamed Ismail (Zamalek), Rami Rabia (Al Ain, United Arab Emirates), Khaled Sobhi (Al Masry)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Adel (Al Jazira, United Arab Emirates), Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Hamdy Fathi (Al Wakrah, Qatar), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Marwan Osman (Ceramica Cleopatra), Mahmoud Saber (Pyramids), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Mahmoud Zalaka (Pyramids), Ahmed Zizo (Al Ahly)

Forwards: Osama Faisal (National Bank of Egypt), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City, England), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes, France), Salah Mohsen (Al Masry), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England).

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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