TheCable

Egypt’s coach, Hector Cuper, has invited 23 players to camp ahead of the friendly match with Burundi.

The Pharaohs will meet the Central African country on Thursday, May 21 as part of their preparation for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. They are in the same group with Nigeria, Chad, and Tanzania.

The 59-year-old former Valencia and Inter coach called up nine players from Zamalek and another six from Al Ahly for the encounter.

Only one foreign-based player – Karim Hafez of Lierse, who is being called to the squad for the first time – was invited for the game because the tie is outside of FIFA’s calendar for international matches.

Cuper will be looking to win his second game in charge after overcoming Equatorial Guinea 2-0 in March.

Egypt’s AFCON 2017 campaign starts with a game against Tanzania on June 14.

FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers

Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Petrojet), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek)

Defenders

Hazem Emam, Ali Gabr, Omar Gaber ( Zamalek), Saad Samir,  Mahamed Naguib, Sabry Rahil (Al Ahly), Ragab Nabil ( Wadi Degla), Karim Hafez ( Leirse)

Midfielders

Ahmed Tawfik, Ibrahim Salah, Ayman Hefny, Mostafa Fathi ( Zamalek), Hossam Ghaly, Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ ( A Ahly)

Forwards

Bassem Morsy (Zamalek), Mahmoud Qaoud, Mahmoud Kahraba, Salah Ashour (ENPPI), Mohamed Salem (Arab Contractors), Dodo El-Gabas ( Wadi Degla)