Shehata named six strikers on Monday in his 23-man squad for the continent’s top competition, including veteran Hossam Hassan.

The Egyptian squad included only four Europe-based players as opposed to 10 players from Egyptian champions Ahli, 5 from Zamalek and a player each from Ismaili, Enppi and Harras Al-Hodoud.

Belal’s omission from the squad came after Zamalek opposite number Abdul-Halim Ali scored both goals in Egypt’s last friendly victory over Zimbabwe.

Enppi goalkeeper Mostafa Kamal, Ittihad defender Mohamed “Hamada” Youssef and Ahli winger Ahmed Abou-Mosallam, who recently signed for French outfit Strasbourg, were rebuffed by Shehata.

Shehata’s selection may come under scrutiny due to the excessive number of forwards named.

The Egyptian team will commence a closed training program on Wednesday during which they will undergo two daily practice sessions up until the tournament kick-off.

Egypt will face South Africa on Saturday in their final rehearsal for the African Cup.

Skipper Hossam Hassan sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s practice and will require a three-day rehabilitation period and is set to miss Saturday’s clash.

Egypt’s squad:

Goalkeepers: Essam Al-Hadari (Ahli) Abdul-Wahed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Abdul-Monsef (both Zamalek)

Defenders: Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Al-Sayed, Mohamed Abdul-Wahab (all Ahli), Ibrahim Saied, Tarek Al-Sayed (both Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi (Ismaili), Abdul-Zaher Al-Saqqa (Konyaspor, Turkey)

Midfielders: Mohamed Barakat, Mohamed Abou-Treika, Mohamed Shawqi, Hassan Mostafa (all Ahli), Ahmed Eid Abdul-Malek (Harras Al-Hodoud), Ahmed Hassan (Besiktas, Turkey), Hosni Abd-Rabou (Strasbourg, France)

Strikers: Emad Meteb, Osama Hosni (both Ahli), Abdul-Halim Ali (Zamalek), Hossam Hassan (Masri), Amr Zaki, (Enppi), Ahmed Hossam “Mido” (Tottenham, England)