El Shenawy, Hegazi and El Wensh named in Egypt’s squad for the Olympics

CAIRO-2 July 2021: Shawki Gharib, Egypt U-23 national team head coach, announced on Friday the team’s 22-man squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The three players over the age of 23 who will strengthen the team’s squad in the tournament are Mohamed El Shenawy, Al Ahly and Egypt national team first-choice goalkeeper, Mahmoud El Wensh, Zamalek’s defender and Ahmed Hegazi, Ittihad Jeddah defender.

Six players from Al Ahly, four players from Zamalek, three players from Pyramids, two players from Al Ittihad of Alexandria, two players from Enppi alongside a player from El Gaish, El Masry, Ismaily, ceramic Cleopatra and Itiihad Jeddah have been chosen in the squad.  

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Mostafa Mohamed of Galatasaray have not been included in the squad after their clubs refused to let them participate in the Olympics.

Egypt’s squad for the Olympic Games consists of:  

Goalkeepers: El Shenawy, Mohamed Sobhy, Mahmoud Gad,

Defenders: Hegazi, El Wensh, Mohamed Abdelsalam, Osama Galal, Ahmed Ramadan Beckham, Ahmed Abo El Fottoh, Karim Fouad, Karim El Eraky,

Midfielders: Akram Tawfik, Nasser Maher, Amar Hamdy, Imam Ashour,

Wingers: Taher Mohamed Taher, Salah Mohsen, Abdelrahman Magdy, Nasser Mansy, Ramadan Sobhy,

Strikers: Ibrahim Adel and Ahmed Yasser Rayan.

Egypt U-23 national team has been drawn in Group C of the Tokyo Olympic Games alongside Spain, Argentina and Australia.

The Pharaohs will start their mission against  Spain on 22 July before facing Argentina three days later. Egypt's last group stage game will be played on 28 July against Australia.

Egypt qualified for the Olympics after clinching the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title at home in November 2019.

The Olympic Games in Tokyo will see the 12th appearance for the Egyptian football at the competition and the Pharaohs aim to secure a medal at the competition for the first time in the history.