Egypt suffer massive blow as Mohamed Abdel-Shafy ruled out of Ghana clash

epa05630301 Mohamed Abdel Shafy of Egypt (R) in action against Emmanuel Agyemang of Ghana during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Egypt and Ghana at Borg Al Arab Stadium in Alexandria, Egypt, 13 November 2016. EPA/KHALED ELFIQI

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Tuesday Nov 07, 2017. 20:00

Egypt are set to face Ghana without the services of left-back Mohamed Abdel-Shafy due to injury, the Egyptian Football Association have confirmed on Monday.

The 32-year-old Al Ahly defender has been withdrawn from the Pharaohs squad. This will be the first game he misses since the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign started.

According to the national team doctor, Mohamed Abou El-Ela, he revealed that Abdel-Shafy needs a week to return to full training after he picked up an injury with his club.

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Abdel-Shafy’s absence may present a chance for 21-year-old Karim Hafez, but coach Hector Cuper might also use Ahmed Fathi or Omar Gaber at the left-back position.

Hafez made his international debut in a friendly against Malawi in August 2015, but his only competitive appearance for the Pharaohs came against Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2017 CAF African Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Although they have qualified for the World Cup next year in Russia, the Pharaohs will face the Black Stars on Sunday, November 12 at Cape Coast Stadium.