Striker Zaki was ruled out of this month's friendly with DR Congo due to a groin problem, but made his comeback in Zamalek's 3-1 defeat to ENPPI last week.

But the 27-year-old was overlooked this time, as well as his Zamalek mate Shikabala, who was named in the DR Congo squad but pulled out later due to injury.

His replacement Walid Soliman kept his place after an impressive performance for ENPPI against the White Knights.

Another ENPPI star to get his first call-up was skipper Ahmed Abdul-Zaher, who scored twice in three games so far for the Cairo club.

Harras Hodoud ace Ahmed Eid was omitted in the wake of his sloppy red card in a league game against Smouha, which cost him four matches.

While Emad Meteb expectedly missed out again, Ismaili striker Ahmed Ali earned another call-up after his dream two-goal debut against DR Congo.

Egypt squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari, Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili)

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Sayed Moawad (Ahli), Mahmoud Fathallah, Mohamed Abdul-Shafi (Zamalek), Moatasem Salem (Ismaili), Mohamed Naguib (Police Union)

Midfielders: Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Ghaly, Ahmed Fathi, Mohamed Abou-Treika (Ahli), Amr Al-Sulaya, Ahmed Khairi (Ismaili), Walid Soliman (ENPPI), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland)

Strikers: Ahmed Abdul-Zaher (ENPPI), Geddo (Ahli), Ahmed Ali (Ismaili), Ahmed Mekki (Harras Hodoud)