Hossam Hassan Announces Egypt Squad for Angola, South Sudan, and South Africa Matches
The squad selection sets the stage for crucial matches in the qualification campaign for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Roster Composition and Upcoming Fixtures
The announcement details a demanding schedule for the Pharaohs, who are preparing to face Angola and South Sudan in the opening rounds of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. According to team management, the squad will gather at the National Teams Center in 6th of October City to begin preparations. Egypt will host Angola on September 25 at Cairo International Stadium, before traveling to face South Sudan on September 29. A subsequent international friendly against South Africa is scheduled for October 4 at Cairo International Stadium.
The selected squad spans domestic and international talent across all positions. The goalkeeping department features Mostafa Shobier, El Mahdi Soliman, Mohamed Alaa, and Abdelaziz El Balouti. The defensive line includes Mohamed Hany, Tarek Alaa, Ramy Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Hamdy Fathy, Ahmed Fotouh, and Karim Hafez. Midfield options feature Marwan Attia, Mehndi Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Imam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ali Mahmoud, Ibrahim Adel, Mostafa Ziko, Haythem Hassan, and Mohamed Salah. The forward line lists Omar Marmoush and Hamza Abdelkarim.
Personnel Challenges and Disciplinary Absences
National team director Ibrahim Hassan addressed the media regarding notable roster omissions and disciplinary constraints affecting the squad composition. Several key players are unavailable due to injury, most notably Mahmoud Trezeguet and Yasser Ibrahim. In addition, midfielder Marwan Attia will miss the opening fixture against Angola due to a suspension carrying over from the previous Africa Cup of Nations tournament held in Morocco, where he received a two-match ban from the Confederation of African Football following an incident leading up to the third-place playoff against Nigeria.
Managing squad depth through injuries and disciplinary suspensions requires precise logistical and medical coordination.
Strategic Outlook for the Qualifying Campaign
With back-to-back competitive fixtures followed by a high-profile friendly, the technical staff aims to balance tactical integration with physical load management. The September window represents a critical early test in establishing momentum for the 2027 continental tournament. As preparations ramp up in 6th of October City, the focus shifts to executing the tactical framework required to secure maximum points on home soil and away.
