Former Arsenal target Essam El-Hadary has been summoned to the Egypt national team squad for the country’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier against Nigeria on March 23.
The 43-year-old had been out of the Pharaohs since 2013 when he played in a World Cup qualifier under Bob Bradley but will now expect to return to the fold in an international friendly on February 27 against Burkina Faso before travelling to West Africa.
The goalkeeper, four Africa Cup of Nations champion and best goalkeeper at the 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions, has been in impressive for Wadi Degla in the Egyptian topflight and will hope to replicate similar performances.
Egypt head coach Hector Cuper recently included the backlines of top home clubs, Ahly and Zamalek on the provisional squad but new developments indicate duo Ayman Hefny and Mahmoud Kahraba could be a doubt.
Nigeria will face Pharaohs of Egypt in the AFCON Qualifiers after losing 1-0 to Guinea at the CHAN 2016 tournament in Rwanda, with the first leg in Nigeria on March 23 and the return leg in Egypt five days later.
Full Egypt squad:
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek), Mohamed El-Shennawy (Petrojet), Essam El-Hadary (Wadi Degla).
Defenders: Ramy Rabiaa, Ahmed Hegazy, Sabry Raheel, Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Ali Gabr, Hazem Emam, Hamada Tolba, Ahmed Dewidar, Omar Gaber(Zamalek).
Midfielders: Mostafa Fathi (Zamalek), Saleh Gomaa, Ramadan Sobhy, Momen Zakaria, Abdallah El-Said, Hossam Ghaly (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Salah (Smouha) ,Nour El-Sayed (ENPPI).
Forwards: Bassem Morsi (Zamalek), Amr Gamal (Al Ahly), Ahmed Raouf (Al-Masry), Marwan Mohsen (Ismaily).
