Zamalek defender Mohamed Ismail is close to joining the official squad of the Egyptian national football team in preparation for the upcoming camp. This comes as the coaching staff, led by Hossam Hassan, works to strengthen the defense with ready players capable of addressing the current technical and physical deficiencies.
Absence of El-Soulia and Doubts Surrounding the Defense
The inclusion of Mohamed Ismail in the plans of the coaching staff is a response to the serious injury of Al Ahly defender Amr El-Gazzar, who suffered a torn ACL. Additionally, there are significant concerns about the potential return of Yasser Ibrahim for the next camp due to his recent injury, necessitating quick and reliable solutions to bolster the backline.
Intensive Preparatory Program and Early Continental Preparations
The Pharaohs will face Angola on September 25 in Cairo during the camp, before moving on to play South Sudan on September 29 in Juba. The coaching staff has also decided to hold a friendly match against the South African national team on October 4 in Cairo to enhance the players' technical and physical efficiency.
These matches are part of the national team's preparation program for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, as the coaching staff aims to secure early qualification through a qualifying system that includes 48 teams divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing directly to the continental finals.
