Egypt coach Hassan Shehata has named a provisional squad of 32 players ahead of next month's African Cup of Nations in Angola, including Mohamed Abou-Treika. Ahli star Abou-Treika is struggling with a broken foot and was declared unfit for the African showpiece, but Shehata is still hopeful of having his talisman back by the new year. In the same manner, Zamalek striker Mido was recalled for the first time since March, even though he sustained a minor back injury in a league match on Sunday. "Treika and Mido will have fitness tests on Saturday after which their availability will be determined," Shehata told a press conference on Tuesday. Egypt's opening game in the Angola finals will be against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Group C opener on January 12th. New Faces A few players earned their first Egypt call-up, including Ahli in-form keeper Ahmed Adel and midfielder Mostafa Shebeita. Zamalek full-back Mohamed Abdul-Shafi and Ittihad forward Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo' have also made the list.
Egypt sweating on Treika Nassr midfielder Hossam Ghaly was named at the expense of Middlesbrough's Mohamed Shawky, who has yet to appear for his club this term. Zamalek defender Mahmoud Fathallah and Petrojet forward Al-Sayed Hamdi returned after recovering from long-term injuries. Surprisingly, there was no place for Ismaili schemer Mohamed Hommos, who regularly featured for the national team of late. Amr Zaki and Mohamed Barakat were ruled out with respective injuries. Egypt Squad: Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ismaili), Ahmed Adel (Ahli), Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Mahmoud Aboul-Saoud (Mansoura). Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad, Ahmed Fathi, Sherif Abdul-Fadil (Ahli), Mahmoud Fathallah, Hani Saied, Mohamed Abdul-Shafi, Hazem Emam (Zamalek), Moatassem Salem, Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaili), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI), Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa (Eskisehirspor, Turkey). Midfielders: Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mostafa Shebeita (Ahli), Shikabala (Zamalek), Abdul-Aziz Tawfik (ENPPI), Walid Soliman, Mohamed Shaaban (Petrojet), Ahmed Eid (Harras Hodoud), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Ahli, UAE), Hossam Ghaly (Nassr, Saudi Arabia). Strikers: Emad Meteb (Ahli), Mido (Zamalek), Ahmed Raouf (ENPPI), Al-Sayed Hamdi (Petrojet), Geddo (Ittihad), Mohamed Zidan (Dortmund, Germany).