The holders' list did not include Ahli's injured winger Mohamed Barakat as well as Middlesbrough striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido'.

In-form striker Ahmed Belal was overlooked by Shehata, who refused to comment on the Ahli forward's omission.

Another absentee was Zamalek playmaker Mahmoud Abdul-Razeq ' Shikabala', who is serving a six-month ban by FIFA.

On the other hand, surprise inclusions witnessed the presence of Petrojet's uncapped duo Ahmed Shaaban and Waleed Soliman, whilst there was no place for league top scorer Alaa Ibrahim.

The current squad will start a closed camp on Wednesday, and the final roster will be announced after the friendly against Namibia on January 5th.

Egypt Squad

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

Defenders: Wael Gomaa (Al-Sayliya, Qatar), Ibrahim Saied (Ankaragucu, Turkey), Shadi Mohamed, Ahmed Fathi (Ahli), Sayed Moawad, Hani Saied, Sherif Abdul-Fadil, Moatasem Salem (Ismaili), Mahmoud Fathallah, Tarek Al-Sayed (Zamalek), Osama Mohamed (Petrojet), Ahmed Samir (Harras Al-Hodoud).

Midfielders: Mohamed Shawky (Middlesbrough, England), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham, England), Ahmed Hassan (Anderlecht, Belgium), Hassan Mostafa (Al-Wehda, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Abou-Treika (Ahli), Hosni Abd-Rabou, Omar Gamal (Ismaili), Waleed Soliman, Ahmed Shaaban (Petrojet), Ahmed Mohamadi (ENPPI), Mohsen Hendawi (Ghazl Mahalla).

Strikers: Mohamed Zidan (Hamburg, Germany), Emad Meteb (Ahli), Amr Zaki (Zamalek), Mohamed Fadl (Ismaili), Ahmed Salama (Tersana).