Egypt's AFCON 2025 Defends Itself: Abdel Monem Out, But The Squad Still Shines

Injury sidelines Abdel Monem from Egypt's AFCON squad

Ibrahim Hassan, the Egypt national team manager, explained why Mohamed Abdel Monem, the Nice defender, was left out of the final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, running from December 21 this year to January 18.

Egypt had previously announced a squad for the continental tournament, naming the goalkeepers Mohamed El Shenawy, Ahmed El Shenawy, Mustafa Shober, and Mohamed Sobhi; in defense: Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Eid, Rami Rabia, Khaled Sobhi, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Ismail, Hesham Abdel Megid, Mohamed Hamdi, Ahmed Fattouh; in midfield: Marwan Attia, Hamdi Fathi, Mohaned Lashine, Mahmoud Saber, Mohamed Shahat, Imam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ibrahim Adel, Mustafa Fathi, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Salah; in attack: Mustafa Mohamed, Salah Mohsen, Osama Faisal.

Egypt's earlier announcement included a long list of players, reflecting the depth the team hoped to bring to the tournament in Morocco.

And Ibrahim Hassan, in statements to the national federation's media center, said medical reports, coordinated between the national team medical staff through Dr. Mohamed Abu El-Ala and Nice's medical team, confirmed Abdel Monem's difficulty in being fit for the tournament after ACL injury last April.

He added: "Abdel Monem suffered a fresh calf tear in recent days, which delayed his rehabilitation and made late inclusion next to impossible for the tournament."

The Pharaohs' manager wished Abdel Monem a speedy recovery, stressing that he is one of the team's core pillars and that his presence would have been a strong addition to the defense in the continental championship.

He also noted that the coaching staff under Hassan remains in constant contact to check on his condition, and the player himself wished to participate but the injury prevented it.

Egypt is in Group II at AFCON 2025 with Zimbabwe, South Africa and Angola.

Punchline 1: If the defense were a rifle, Abdel Monem’s absence just proved the barrel wasn’t the only thing that needed a tune-up. Punchline 2: Don’t worry—Egypt’s calendar already updated: this match schedule just upgraded from “injury drama” to “season of surprises.”