AFCON qualifier: Egypt invite Salah, Elneny, three other foreign pros for Eagles

Salah

Egypt coach, Hector Cuper, has invited five foreign professionals for the double header against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Leading the quintet is Roma winger, Mohammed Salah, and Arsenal new boy, Mohammed Elneny.

The pair are joined by Sporting Braga’s Ahmed ‘Koka’ Hassan, Mohammed ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan from Anderlecht and Amr Warda of Greek side Panetolikos.

But the Pharaohs will miss the services of Mohamed Abdel Shafy who plays for Al Ahly of Saudi Arabia due to injury.

Cuper’s squad is dominated by players who ply their trade for locally based sides – Zamalek, Ismaily and Al Ahly.

According to Egyptian Football Association member, Ehab Hath, the group will join up with the rest of the squad in camp which begins on March 20.

The team will proceed to Nigeria for the game on March 23, two days before the clash and return after the game.

Preparations will continue at the Burj Al Arab immediately after the team returns for the return leg on March 29.

The Pharaohs are top of Group G with six points from two matches, two ahead of Nigeria who are in second place.

Tanzania and Chad are third and fourth respectively and will also meet in back-to-back games later this month.

The winner of the group takes the sole ticket for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Gabon.