Egypt to miss El Said and Abdel-Moneim for Congo clash

epa06186462 Egypt's Abdallah El-Said (R) in action during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Egypt and Uganda, in Alexandria, Egypt, 05 September 2017. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Oct 03, 2017. 16:30

The Egyptian national team has been hit by injuries as Abdallah El Said and Mahmoud Abdel-Moneim are forced out of the latest 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers squad.

The Pharaohs are set to host Congo Brazzaville on Sunday and will be without El Said and Abdel-Moneim for the clash.

El Said picked up his injury playing for Al Ahly during their 2-1 loss to Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel in the CAF Champions League on Sunday.

REMORSEFUL MATHOHO BACKS SOUTH AFRICA

"We'll hold a meeting to decide if we call another two players for the, let us wait to see," assistant coach Osama Nabeh is quoted by the BBC.

The 32-year-old El Said has become a key player for coach Hector Cuper's team and has featured in all six of his World Cup qualifying squads, playing five games and scoring three goals.

Meanwhile, Kahraba has been in the 2018 qualifying squad five times and made three appearances, but was injured last Thursday playing for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

The North Africans currently top Group E with nine points and could qualify for Russia should they beat the Red Devils of Congo and if Uganda fail to win in Kampala against Ghana on Saturday.