2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) hosts Egypt have announced their 25-man preliminary squad for the tournament.
Coach Javier Aguirre’s squad comes with virtually no surprises. However, there is a return for veteran duo Abdallah El-Said and Walid Soliman who had been constantly shunned by the Mexican in his selections since he took over the job last year.
The 32nd edition of the Afcon begins on June 21 and ends July 19, with 24 teams participating for the first time after it was expanded from 16.
Egypt will play Zimbabwe in the tournament opener before rounding up the group stage against DR Congo (June 26) and Uganda on the 30th.
The Pharaohs intend to begin camping on June 6 and will play two test matches – first against Tanzania on June 13 and then Guinea three days later at Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria.
Egypt squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Abou-Gabal (Smouha), Mahmoud Gennesh (Zamalek)
Defenders:
Ahmed El-Mohamady (Aston Villa), Baher El-Mohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek), Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek), Ahmed Ayman Mansour (Pyramids), Omar Gaber (Pyramids), Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh (Smouha)
Midfielders:
Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Ali Ghazal (Feirense), Nabil Emad Dunga (Pyramids), Walid Soliman (Al Ahly), Abdallah El-Said (Pyramids), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Kasimpasa), Amr Warda (Atromitos)
Strikers:
Ahmed Ali (Arab Contractors), Marwan Mohsen (Al Ahly), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Olympiacos)
