Egypt national team head coach Ali Maher has explained why he decided to keep Mohamed Abdelmonem, the Nice defender, in the national team camp during November despite his recent injury.

The decision comes ahead of Egypt's matches against Malawi in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Maher believes that keeping Abdelmonem with the squad will help him understand the team's plans, even if he is not fit enough to play in the first match.

Abdelmonem suffered a muscle injury during Nice's French league match against Angers last Sunday.

He was substituted at halftime, raising questions about whether he would be available for Egypt during the international break.

Why Did Ali Maher Keep Abdelmonem in Camp?

Speaking at the press conference ahead of the Malawi match, Ali Maher explained that Abdelmonem remains an important player in his plans and that his presence in the squad is valuable even when he cannot play.

Maher said the coaching staff wants to use the current training camp to help players understand the team's new playing style, especially defensive organization, movement on the pitch, and tactical instructions.

The Egypt coach believes that attending tactical meetings and watching training sessions will help Abdelmonem understand what the coaching staff expects from him.

This will also make it easier for the defender to return to the team once he has fully recovered from his injury.

Maher added that Abdelmonem's availability has not been completely ruled out, as his condition could improve before the second match against Malawi.

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However, he stressed that keeping the player with the squad remains useful even if he is unable to take part in either match.

The decision shows that Maher wants Abdelmonem to become familiar with his tactical approach rather than waiting until the defender is physically ready to return.

Egypt Prepare for Two Important Malawi Matches

Egypt will host Malawi at Cairo International Stadium on Friday, November 13, at 9:00 PM, in the third round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, November 17, at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, for the fourth round of qualifying.

Egypt currently lead Group B with four points, level with Angola, while Malawi sit third with three points.

Ali Maher will be looking for a positive result in his first official match in charge of the national team, as Egypt aim to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.

Meanwhile, the coaching staff will continue to monitor Abdelmonem's recovery before deciding whether he can take part in the second match.

The priority will be to make sure the defender is fully fit before returning to competitive action.

Keeping Abdelmonem in camp also highlights Maher's focus on building a team that understands his tactics and works well together.

With important matches ahead, the Egypt coach hopes that this approach will help his players adapt quickly and deliver stronger performances in the coming fixtures.