Zamalek defender Mohamed Ismail has emerged as a strong candidate to join Egypt’s squad for the upcoming September camp as head coach Hossam Hassan looks for more defensive options ahead of the games against Angola and South Sudan.

Ismail’s name has moved higher on the coaching staff’s list at a time when Egypt are dealing with several problems in defence because of injuries.

Hossam Hassan and his assistants are therefore considering different options before announcing the final squad, with Mohamed Ismail among the players who could receive an opportunity with the national team.

Injuries boost Ismail’s chances

Egypt’s defensive plans changed after Al Ahly centre-back Amr El Gazzar suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The serious injury is expected to keep El Gazzar out for a lengthy period and has ruled him out of the upcoming national team camp.

There are also doubts over Al Ahly defender Yasser Ibrahim and whether he will recover in time to take part in the camp following his latest injury.

With two defensive options facing fitness problems, Egypt’s coaching staff have been forced to consider additional players before finalising the squad.

Mohamed Ismail has become one of the leading names being considered, with the Zamalek defender offering another option in the centre of defence.

The coaching staff are following the fitness of all available defenders before making their final decision.

Hossam Hassan wants to have more than one reliable option in every position so that the team can deal with injuries or unexpected absences during the coming period.

The camp will also give the coaching staff an opportunity to assess players who are relatively new to the national team setup and see how quickly they can adapt to Egypt’s style and the demands of international football.

For Mohamed Ismail, being considered for the squad represents an important opportunity, particularly at a time when Egypt need ready players who can provide extra depth in defence.

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His place in the squad has not yet been officially confirmed, but he is now firmly in contention ahead of the final announcement.

Three games for Egypt

Egypt are preparing for an important international camp that will include two competitive matches in September.

The Pharaohs will face Angola in Cairo on September 25 before travelling to Juba to play South Sudan on September 29.

Hossam Hassan’s side will then return to Cairo for a friendly against South Africa on October 4.

The coaching staff want to use the three matches to improve the players’ fitness and tactical understanding while also testing several options before the next stage of international competition.

The matches will also allow Egypt to work on solutions in positions affected by injuries, with central defence currently one of the main areas under attention.

These preparations form part of Egypt’s plan ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Hossam Hassan wants his squad to enter the qualifying campaign in strong shape and hopes Egypt can secure a place in the tournament as early as possible.

The qualifying competition will feature 48 national teams divided into 12 groups, with the top two teams from each group qualifying directly for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

For that reason, Egypt’s coaching staff are looking to build a wider group of players rather than depend only on a small number of regular starters.

The upcoming camp could therefore provide Mohamed Ismail with a new opportunity to establish himself in the national team if Hossam Hassan decides to include him in the final squad.

The final decision will depend on the fitness of the injured defenders as well as the coaching staff’s assessment of the defensive options available before the squad is officially announced.