The Ahli man, who is nursing a foot injury, was included in the Pharaohs' provisional 32-man squad as Shehata hoped he might be able to recover in time for the tournament.

But Shehata said German surgeon Andreas Imhoff, who is treating Abou-Treika, insisted the classy playmaker had no chance of taking part in January's Angola finals.

"The player's foot injury will prevent him from being with us in Angola," the 60-year-old told Modern Sport.

Petrojet's Walid Soliman and Zamalek's Shikabala could now vie for a place instead of the injured Abou-Treika in Egypt's starting line-up.

Deep-lying forwards Ahmed Eid and Al-Sayed Hamdi, who play for Harras Hodoud and Petrojet respectively, could also be options for Shehata.

The defending champions will also have to do without Zamalek striker Amr Zaki, who is struggling with a hamstring injury.

They were drawn in Group C along with two-time winners Nigeria and minnows Mozambique and Benin.