Egyptian National Team manager Hossam Hassan accepted Mohamed Abdelmonem’s apology for not joining the squad in the current international break.
The Pharaohs will face Cape Verde in Cairo on September 6 before heading to play Botswana in Gaborone on 10 September to kick off the AFCON 2025 qualifiers campaign.
Newly OGC Nice signing Mohamed Abdelmonem was initially included in Hossam Hassan’s squad for both games, before requesting not to join up with the team this break.
Abdelmonem’s reason is that he wants to acclimatize to his new surroundings in France following his move from Al Ahly, having not gone through the pre-season with Nice as well as him not being fit enough yet.
The Egyptian FA issued a statement confirming that national team head coach Hossam Hassan has accepted the 25-year-old’s apology.
While Abdelmonem’s absence will be felt, the Egypt team has enough defenders to cover his absence.
Ahmed Ramadan “Beckham”, Ahmed Hegazi, Ramy Rabia, and Khaled Sobhy are the four other central defenders in the squad.