Egypt on Wednesday announced the squad that will be facing the Nigeria in a 2017 AFCON qualifiers, with players from the country’s domestic league top clubs, Zamalek and Al-Ahly, dominating the 25-man squad.
The winners of three successive Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008, and 2010 will face Nigeria on March 25 in Kaduna, before playing the follow-up match four days later in Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
According to the list announced on the Egyptian Football Association official website, nine players from Egyptian league champions, Zamalek, and seven from rivals, Ahly, were called for the two matches.
Zamalek duo striker Basem Morsi and winger Mahmoud Kahraba were the prominent absentees, alongside right winger Ahmed Fathi and midfielder Moamen Zakaria from Ahly.
Earlier on Monday, Cuper has called up five foreign-based players for the important confrontation, including Roma winger Mohamed Salah, Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Egypt are leading group G with six points, two ahead of the Super Eagles who occupied the second position on the table, with only group winners guaranteed automatic qualification for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.
The Egyptian team full squad:
Goalkeeprs: Essam El-Hadary (Wadi Degla), Ahemd El-Shenawy (Zamalek), Mohamed El-Shenawy (Petrojet)
Defenders: Omar Gaber, Hazem Emam, Ahmed Dewidar, Ali Gabr, Hamada Tolba (Zamalek)- Ahmed Hegazy, Sabry Rahil, Ramy Rabia (Ahly)
Midfielders: Hossam Ghaly, Ramadan Sobhy, Abdallah El-Said (Ahly)- Mostafa Fathi, Ayman Hefni, Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Ibrahim Salah (Smouha), Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan (Anderlecht), Amr Warda (Panetolikos FC), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal)
Strikers: Mohamed Salah (Roma), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Braga), Amr Gamal (Ahly), Marawan Mohsen (Ismaily).