Salah among overseas stars called up by Egypt

Mo Salah

Monday Sep 23, 2019. 12:00

Egypt will call on their overseas-based stars for the October FIFA International window, including Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah, but admit they have not got an opponent for the date yet.

The camp will be a first for new coach Hossam El-Badry, who was appointed last week after a long search to replace the Mexican Javier Aguirre following Egypt’s second round exit at the Africa Cup of Nations finals they hosted in June-July.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan (Aston Villa), Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan (SC Braga), Mohamed Elneny (Besiktas) and Ahmed Hegazi (West Bromwich) have all been called on by El-Badry for the camp that starts on October 7.

But the Egyptian Football Association has been forced to admit there is no opponent lined up for the side, though they are hopeful of having an agreement in place shortly.

“The Egyptian Football Association has started talks to organise a friendly game for the national team during October’s camp,” a statement said.

El-Badry has been tasked with restoring some pride to the national team jersey after their disasterous Nations Cup exit.

His first competitive test will be the start of the next round of qualifiers in November, where the Pharaohs have been pooled with Kenya, Togo and Comoros in what should be a straight-forward ticket to the finals in Cameroon as one of the top two teams in the group.