Egypt’s Injury Blow Forces Quick Turnaround: A Zamalek Option Emerges as Pharaohs Rework Plans

Injury disrupts Egypt’s camp just weeks from friendlies

Egypt’s national team, under coach Hossam Hassan, got bad news when Mohanad Lashine of Pyramids FC sustained a calf muscle tear during the Egyptian Super Cup semi-final against Zamalek. Lashine had been named in the Pharaohs’ UAE camp for friendlies against Uzbekistan and Iran (or Cape Verde) on November 14 and 18. The medical team, headed by Mustafa Al-Maniri, indicated the injury warrants more than a week of treatment and rehabilitation, delaying his return to full training.

The medical staff said Lashine’s scans were forwarded to the national team to determine whether he will join the squad in the UAE-based camp in Al Ain, as the Pharaohs weigh their options ahead of the fixtures. The setback has forced the staff to reassess midfield balance with Lashine’s absence looming large in the plans.

Potential replacement and squad adjustments as the camp progresses

The injury complicates the midfield choices, with Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah) and Marwan Attia (Al Ahly) already in the mix for the central roles. Egypt is reportedly considering calling up Nabil Emad “Donya” from Zamalek after he left the initial list, as the team works out whether he can join the camp or wait for the next window for a replacement.

The national team’s camp in the UAE features a 26-player roster, and the medical team will decide on the final call-up while also assessing the fitness status of players in the squad. In parallel, Pyramids FC coach Krunoslav Jurcic confirmed that goalkeeper Ahmed Gad would start in the upcoming Super Cup match against Ceramica Cleopatra, praising Gad’s potential and his role in keeping the club’s goal protected for the future.

In terms of squad discipline, Pyramids’ four international players—Mohamed Shabih, Festou MAA, Blati Toure, and Ahmed Shenae—received rests for the Cup clash as the team balances club duties with international duties. The goal is to retain stability at the back with Gad as the starting keeper, while the rest of the team adjusts around Lashine’s injury and the looming call-ups.

As a backdrop, the roster included experienced names across the pitch: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed Shobier, and others in defense such as Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Fathouh, and Rami Rabia; midfield anchors like Hamdi Fathi and Omar Marmoush; and attackers including Osama Faisal, Salah Mohamed, and Mustafa Mohamed. The situation leaves room for a flexible approach, with clubs and country coordinating to keep the plan intact while Lashine recovers. Finally, with Lashine sidelined, there’s a chance for a fresh face from Zamalek or another club to step in and keep Egypt’s engine running smoothly.

punchlines

Two quick zingers to lighten the mood: If football plans were a script, Egypt just rewrote the ending with a few red pens. And don’t worry—the bench is so deep, it has its own draft picks and a super-subset of opinions about tactics.