Egypt start final training to face Ghana in Kumasi, key players to join camp today

Egypt national team started their final training on Monday for the highly-anticipated clash against Ghana in the first-leg of the World Cup play-offs set for 15 October in Kumasi without several key players.

The seven-time African champions will be at full strength by Tuesday, as Basel's duo Mohamed Salah and Mohamed El-Neny arrive alongside the Ahly players who have just returned from Cameroon.

Egypt named 11 players from Cairo giants Al Ahli in a 26-man squad for next week's World Cup playoff against Ghana and dropped English-born defender Adam El-Abd.

Coach Bob Bradley has selected the backbone of his team from the club who made a significant step on Sunday in their bid to retain the African Champions League title by holding Coton Sport of Cameroon to a 1-1 draw away in the first leg of their semifinal.

El Abd from Brighton and Hove Albion, who scored an own goal in last month's qualifier against Guinea, has been dropped along with the Belgian-based defensive duo of Ahmed Ouka and Ahmed Samir Farag

After getting four days of rest, the Pharaohs began a preparation camp that will last until 11 October, the date of their departure for Kumasi and four days before the crucial game.

Earlier on Sunday, Egypt's American coach Bob Bradley announced the 26-man squad for the important clash.

The list included 19 home-based players alongside seven foreign-based players as they seek to defeat the Black Stars in Kumasi.

Egypt are scheduled to host the Ghanaians at Cairo's Air Defence stadium for the second half of the game on 19 November.

Fans will again be allowed to attend the game after being banned from recent matches due to security concerns.

The Egyptians are eyeing their first World Cup appearance since 1990, while Ghana is hoping to reach the World Cup finals for the third time.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ahmed Al Shennawi (Al Masry), Sherif Ekrami (Al Ahli), Mohamed Sobhi (Ismaili)

Defenders: Mohamed Abdulshafi (Zamalek), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City), Hazem Emam (Zamalek), Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad, Mohamed Naguib, Rami Rabiea, Ahmed Shedid (all Al Ahli)

Midfielders: Mohamed Aboutrika, Abdullah Al Saied (both Al Ahli), Amr Al-Sulaya (Ismaili), Hossam Ashour (Al Ahli), Ahmed Eid (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Basle), Hossam Ghaly (Lierse), Mahmoud Kahraba (Luzern), Mahmoud Shikabala (Zamalek), Walid Soliman (Al Ahli)

Forwards: Ahmed Hassan (Rio Ave, Portugal), Mohamed Nagui (Hull City), Mohamed Salah

Source: Al Ahram