Defender Ibrahim Saied has been included in the list despite his knee injury. “He would be fit in time to play in the Nations Cup,” the Pharaohs doctor said.

Shehata dropped Ismaili defender Sherif Abdul-Fadil and Petrojet duo Walid Soliman and Osama Mohamed.

However, Petrojet midfielder Ahmed Shaaban, who made his international debut against Namibia last week, booked his ticket for Ghana following Hossam Ghaly’s return to England to complete his move to Derby County.

The final squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ahli), Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili).

Defenders: Shadi Mohamed, Ahmed Fathi (Ahli), Wael Gomaa (Al-Siliya, Qatar), Ibrahim Saied (Ankaragucu, Tur), Hani Saied, Sayed Moawad (Ismaili), Mahmoud Fathallah, Tarek Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Ahmed Al-Muhammadi (ENPPI).

Midfielders: Hosni Abd-Rabou, Omar Gamal (Ismaili), Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough, Eng), Ahmed Hassan (Anderlecht, Bel), Hassan Mostafa (Al-Wehda, KSA), Ahmed Shaaban (Petrojet), Mohamed Abou-Treika (Ahlli).

Strikers: Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg, All), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Emad Meteb (Ahli), Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili).