Legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, 43, rejoined the Egyptian national squad. He was selected by Argentinean coach Hector Cuper as the team prepares for an upcoming match against Nigeria that will be held between 23 and 26 March in Nigeria.
Cuper chose 24 players to join him at the training camp, which will run from 23 to 27 February. During their time at the camp, the Egyptian team will play a friendly game against Burkina Faso. Cuper said he did not pick two excellent players from Al-Zamalek SC, the forward Mahmoud Kahraba and playmaker Ayman Hefny, due to technical reasons.
Essam El-Hadary, whom fans have dubbed the ‘High Dam’ owing to his tremendous talent and amazing goalkeeping skills, has rejoined the Egyptian national squad 458 days after his last match against Tunisia in November 2014, when Egypt lost 2-0.
This is the first time the experienced goalkeeper and four time winner of the African Cup of Nations is selected by new coach Hector Cuper for the Egyptian national team.
Former Chelsea striker and Ivorian player Didier Drogba once said El-Hadary is the best opponent he ever played against.
Egyptian national squad players:
Goal keepers: Essam El-Hadary (Wadi Degla), Ahmed Shinawi (Al-Zamalek), and Mohamed Shinawi (Petrojet).
Defence: Rami Rabiea (Al-Ahly), Ahmed Heghazi (Al-Ahly), Sabri Rahel (Al-Ahly), Mohamed Hani (Al-Ahly), Ahmed Dwedar (Al-Zamalek), Ali Gabr (Al-Zamalek), Omar Gaber (Al-Zamalek), Hamada Toulba (Al-Zamalek), and Hazem Emam (Al-Zamalek).
Midfield: Hossam Ghali (Al-Ahly), Abdalah Elsaeed (Al-Ahly), Saleh Gomaa (Al-Ahly), Ramadan Sobhy (Al-Ahly), Momen Zakareyia (Al-Ahly), Mostafa Fathi (Al-Zamalek), Nour Elsayed (Ennpi), and Ibrahim Salah (Smouha).
Forwards : Marwan Mohsen (Ismaeily), Amr Gamal (Al-Ahly), Basem Morsi (Al-Zamalek), and Ahmed Raouf (Masry).
