Many pundits said Shehata should have rested the likes of Mido, Amr Zaki and Hosni Abd-Rabou as Egypt have virtually secured their place in the last phase of the World Cup qualifiers.

But the 59-year-old coach is refusing to take such a relaxed approach to the game.

"The match is important, we are not through yet despite people suggesting otherwise," he told reporters on Friday.

"That's why I selected the foreign-based players because for me, any match is important regardless of which opponent we would face."

The Pharaohs top their group with 12 points, three ahead of DR Congo and Malawi, who meet each other on Saturday.

A draw for Egypt against minnows Djibouti in Cairo would be enough to send them through to the next round as Group 12 leaders.