Cuper unveils squad for Nigeria double-header

Egypt coach Hector Cuper has named a 25-man squad for the AFCON 2017 Group G double-header against Nigeria later this month.

The Argentine named only five players plying their trade outside Egypt including Roma forward Mohamed Salah and England-based Mohamed Elneny, with local giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek contributing 16 players. Reigning Egyptian champions Zamalek have nine players and six from the camp of city rivals, Ahly.

A surprise omission was Zamalek forward Bassem Morsy, whose four goals rank him the Pharaohs’ top scorer in the qualifiers. Also left out was his club-mate Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdelmonem, who is injured, There was also no place for Ahly duo Ahmed Fathy and Moamen Zakaria.

The seven-time African champions will travel to Kaduna on Friday, 25 March 2016 to face the Super Eagles before hosting the return four days later in Alexandria.

Egypt, a notable absentee from the last three editions of the continental showpiece event leads the pack in Group G with six points, two richer than Nigeria. Tanzania has a point and Chad at the bottom pointless.

Full Squad