Absences prevent Queiroz from confirming the squad for the Egyptian national team in the African Cup

Many coaches resort to installing the starting lineup to obtain the greatest degree of harmony between the players, but this advantage was not available to Carlos Queiroz, the coach of Egypt in the African Nations Cup, due to the large number of absences.

Since Egypt's first match in the ongoing tournament in Cameroon, when it lost 1-0 against Nigeria on January 11, until reaching the expected final against Senegal tomorrow, Queiroz was unable to enter the same squad in two consecutive matches.

In the first match, right-back Akram Tawfiq was injured a few minutes after the start, and he will be absent for several months due to a cruciate ligament tear in the knee, then left-back Ahmed Fattouh joined him between the two halves.

The two players missed the second round match, as Egypt won 1-0 against Guinea Bissau, while defender Mahmoud Hamdi (Al Wensh) was injured between the two halves, to move away from the end of the group stage.

In front of Sudan, Egypt won 1-0 and qualified for the round of sixteen.

But the confrontation with Ivory Coast witnessed the injury of midfielder Hamdi Fathi, as well as the main goalkeeper, Mohamed El-Shennawy, and his replacement, Mohamed Abu Jabal, managed to save a penalty kick and lead his country to the quarter-finals.

In the Arab summit against Morocco, the main defender Ahmed Hegazy completed the first half, then went out injured and left the tournament by traveling to Germany to undergo treatment, and goalkeeper Mohamed Abu Jabal was injured in the extra time, but Egypt narrowly won 2-1 and ensured appearance in the semi-finals.

Egypt fought a struggle against Cameroon, the owner of the land, and won on penalties, thanks to the brilliance of Abu Jabal, who returns to the squad, but it will lose the efforts of right-back Omar Kamal due to the suspension after receiving the second yellow card, so Queiroz is required to search for another player in this position.

Midfielder Emam Ashour participated for the first time as a substitute against Cameroon towards the end and occupied the right-back position, but it was not confirmed after his continuation in this position against Senegal with an upcoming conflict against the dangerous Sadio Mane.

Queiroz may choose between Ashour and his colleague Ahmed Sayed (Zizou) to face the most dangerous players from Senegal, but regardless of who starts, this will be the player's first appearance in the starting lineup for Egypt in the Nations Cup.

Despite all these absences, the positive aspect remains that Egypt entered all matches in the championship with the attacking trio consisting of captain Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Mustafa Mohamed, and it is expected that they will participate together against Senegal as well.

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