AFCON
Hossam Hassan Names Final 28-Man Egypt Squad for AFCON 2025, Salah Leads Pharaohs’ Charge
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has unveiled his final 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, expressing confidence that the selected group can restore the Pharaohs to the summit of African football.
The seven-time African champions—last crowned in 2010—will compete in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January, aiming to reclaim continental dominance after falling short in recent editions.
Hassan’s squad blends experienced campaigners with emerging talent, retaining a core of domestically based players while relying on a handful of overseas stars to offer attacking flair and leadership.
Salah Headlines Limited Overseas Cast
Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah leads the team both as captain and offensive focal point, headlining a modest group of foreign-based players.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush and FC Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed also made the final cut, with Hassan describing them as key to providing “attacking dynamism and depth.”
UAE-based duo Ibrahim Adel and Rahim Rabia add versatility from the Emirati league, rounding out the international contingent.
Goalkeeping and Defence: Depth and Balance
The goalkeeping department features four options, topped by long-time No. 1 Mohamed El Shenawy of Al Ahly. He is joined by Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids) and Mohamed Sobhi (Zamalek), providing depth and strong domestic familiarity.
In defence, the coach has opted for a balanced mix of seasoned internationals and youthful energy. Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, and Ahmed Fatouh bring high-level experience, while younger defenders such as Hossam Abdel-Maguid and Khaled Sobhi inject pace and physicality.
The coaching crew described the defensive unit as “a balanced mix of physical strength and international exposure”—a key requirement for navigating a competitive Group B.
Midfield: Egypt’s Engine Room
Hassan’s midfield selection emphasises creativity, tactical flexibility and leadership. The group includes Marwan Attia, Hamdi Fathi, Mohannad Lasheen, Emam Ashour, Mohamed Shehata and Mahmoud Trezeguet, alongside creative spark Ahmed Sayed Zizo.
Salah appears on the official list as part of a hybrid front-midfield structure, joined by Omar Marmoush, Ibrahim Adel and Mostafa Fathi—a quartet expected to drive Egypt’s creative and transitional play.
Attack: Mostafa Mohamed to Lead the Line
Europe-based forward Mostafa Mohamed will spearhead the attack as he continues to establish himself as Egypt’s primary striker. He is supported by Salah Mohsen and Osama Faisal, who complete the forward trio tasked with delivering goals in Morocco.
Egypt’s AFCON Pathway and Preparations
The Pharaohs begin their AFCON campaign in Group B, opening against Zimbabwe on 22 December, followed by a tough encounter with South Africa, before concluding the group stage against Angola.
Egypt will commence an open training camp on 3 December, which will transition to a closed camp on 7 December. Their final pre-tournament friendly comes against Nigeria on 14 December in Cairo, before departing for Morocco on 17 December.
Hossam Hassan expressed optimism as he looks to guide Egypt to an eighth continental title, saying the squad “combines experience and youth, hoping to achieve the desired results in the upcoming competitions.”
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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