‘Magician’ Aboutreika back for Egypt

Mohamed Aboutreika has been sidelined by injury

Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has called up nine of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations last year for the 2012 qualifier against South Africa on 26 March.

Among them is midfield star Mohamed ‘Magician’ Aboutreika of Ahly – back after missing last year’s tournament in Angola through injury.

There is also a place in the squad for temperamental but talented Mahmoud ‘Shikabala’ Abdelrazek from Zamalek.

Goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary, defenders Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad and Ahmed al-Mohamady, midfielders Hossam Ghaly and Hosny Abd Rabou and striker Mohamed Zidan were all in the starting line-up in Angola.

Mohamed ‘Geddo’ Nagy, used to great effect as a substitute in Angola, suffered concussion playing for Al-Ahly against South African club SuperSport United at the weekend.

But he has been declared fit to be included in a 23-man squad for the key Group G clash with South Africa who are three points ahead of Egypt after just two rounds.

Egypt are facing an unexpectedly tough fight just to make the 2012 tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as only the winners of a group completed by Niger and Sierra Leone are assured of a place.

Egypt were held 1-1 in Cairo by Sierra Leone last September and suffered a stunning 1-0 loss in Niger, a result assistant coach Hamada Sedki described as the “worst ever” for a national team currently ranked third in Africa.

South Africa have four points, Niger three, Sierra Leone two and Egypt one and the defending champions need at least a draw in South Africa to retain a realistic chance of topping the final table.

Long-serving coach Hassan Shehata chose 19 locals with the bulk coming from perennial giants Ahly, Zamalek and Ismailia, plus stars based in Sudan, Saudi Arabia, England and Germany.

Veteran Al-Hadary recently joined Omdurman outfit Al-Merreikh, striker Ahmed Ali plays for Riyadh side Al-Hilal, Zidan for Borussia Dortmund and Mohamady is part of the African contingent at Sunderland.