“Abd-Rabou underwent x-rays that confirmed his absence,” an Egyptian team medical staff member told Filgoal.com on Tuesday.

The Strasbourg midfielder has been suffering from a recurring thigh injury.

Defender Ibrahim Saied is set to fill in for Abd-Rabou alongside Ahli’s Mohamed Shawki in midfield for the Libya match.

Meanwhile, Ahli vice-president Mahmoud Al-Khatib and pop singer Mohamed Fouad made a visit to the Egyptian team practice to support the players ahead of the tournament.

The African Cup begins on Friday and runs until February 10th.