Egypt Pharaohs arrive in Uganda amidst tight security

1st Leg: 31st August 2017:

• Uganda Vs Egypt – Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Kampala

2nd Leg: 6th September 2017

• Egypt Vs Uganda Cranes – Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexanderia

A star studded Egyptian national football delegation arrived in Uganda on Tuesday night.

The team of 25 players and a host of officials set foot at Entebbe International Airport at 9:20 p.m aboard Nile Air, a chartered flight.

The group was led out of the arrival lounge to the waiting bus amidst tight security provided by the Uganda Police.

They were welcomed by  the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mai Taha Mohammed Khalil.

None of the players nor officials spared a minute or so for an interview with the local media.

When greeted waʿalaykumu salaam , a smiling Liverpool ace Salah politely replied as waʕaˈlaikumu sːaˈlaːm literally translated ‘peace be upon you’.

Business at the Entebbe International Airport came to standstill as excited staff and fans mobbed the fans – many were restrained by security.

Others carried placards with different messages of praise to their respective stars on the team

Legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary is among the three goalkeepers on the team.

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed ElNeny leads the the cast of midfielders that also has Stoke City’s Ramadan Sobhi, Wigan Athletic’s Sam Morsy, Zamalek’s Tarek Hamed among others.

On form Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is among the 5 forwards on the team.

The group was driven to a convoy and checked in at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.

The Pharaohs are expected to conduct a final training session at the Mandela National stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Traveling Team:

• Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al-Taawoun, KSA), Sherif Ekramy (Ahly), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek)
• Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Saad Samir, Rami Rabia, Ahmed Hegazi (West Brom, England), Ahmed Elmohamady (Aston Villa, ENG), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Ahli, KSA), Karim Hafez (RC Lens, France), Omar Gaber (FC Basel)
• Midfielders: Mohamed ElNeny (Arsenal, England), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City, England), Sam Morsy (Wigan Athletic, ENG), Mahmoud Trezeguet (Kasımpaşa, Turkey), Mostafa Fathi (Al Taawoun, KSA), Abdallah El-Said, Hossam Ashour, Saleh Gomaa (Ahly), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mohamed Fathi (Ismaily)
• Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, England), Mahmoud Kahraba (Ittihad, KSA), Amr Gamal (Bidvest Wits, South Africa), Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Sporting Braga, Portugal), Hossam Hassan (Smouha)