Frosinone defender Omar Fayed has earned his first call-up to Egypt’s senior first-team squad after Hamdy Fathy withdrew through injury.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan and team director Ibrahim Hassan have turned to the 23-year-old after Fathy suffered an injury while playing for Al-Wakrah on Sunday.

Fathy will miss the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola, South Sudan, and the friendly against South Africa on October 4.

The call-up is Fayed’s first inclusion in Egypt’s senior squad. Hassan had reportedly monitored the defender before announcing his original 24-man selection, and identified him as an option amid Egypt’s defensive injury woes.

However, Hassan initially left him out when he named the squad for the September camp.

Fayed joined Frosinone from Fenerbahçe this summer but is still waiting for his Serie A debut. He has remained an unused substitute in each of Frosinone’s first five league matches.

The defender made his competitive club debut earlier this month in the Coppa Italia against Sassuolo. He entered as a substitute and converted his penalty in the shootout, although Frosinone were eliminated.

Egypt host Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25 before travelling to Juba to face South Sudan four days later. The Pharaohs then return to Cairo for their October 4 friendly against South Africa.

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CAF president Patrice Motsepe has ruled out postponing or relocating the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations despite admitting that preparations need to accelerate.

Motsepe called for a “heightened sense of urgency” after inspecting facilities in host nations Tanzania and Kenya this week.

The tournament begins on June 19, 2027, with the final scheduled for July 17. It will become the first AFCON jointly hosted by three countries and the first staged in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted the competition in 1976.

However, CAF wants the tournament stadiums operational by January, which would allow organisers to stage test events and identify remaining problems around five months before kick-off.

“There isn’t the slightest consideration of a postponement,” Motsepe told BBC Sport Africa. He also rejected suggestions that CAF could move the tournament elsewhere, insisting there would be “no Plan B” or “Plan C”.

Kenya appears to face some of the most immediate infrastructure issues. Motsepe inspected Nairobi’s new 60,000-capacity Talanta Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani during his visit on Friday.

BBC Sport Africa reported that Kasarani and its associated training facility remain among CAF’s main concerns.

CAF officials told organisers during an inspection in February that stadiums and training facilities should reach roughly 80% completion by August. However, progress at Kasarani has remained limited in several areas.

The stadium’s playing surface has yet to be installed, while work also remains on broadcast cabling, floodlights and hospitality areas, and CAF has requested changes to plans surrounding seating and security arrangements for heads of state and other VIPs.

CAF and the three governments had already established a joint oversight committee in May.

That agreement identified August as a major deadline for stadium development, venue confirmation, transport planning, security and other tournament operations.

Concerns over the timetable carry additional weight because the same three countries have already faced a CAF postponement. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were due to host the African Nations Championship in February 2025.

CAF postponed the competition just 18 days before its scheduled start after infrastructure experts concluded that stadiums and other facilities required more time. The tournament eventually took place in August 2025.

Other recent CAF tournaments have also moved from their original dates, adding scrutiny to Motsepe’s insistence that AFCON 2027 will proceed as scheduled.

CAF nevertheless maintains that the three governments remain committed to completing the required stadiums, training facilities, accommodation, transport and operational infrastructure.

The AFCON qualification campaign begins this month, with 48 nations competing for 21 available places alongside the three automatically qualified hosts.

Egypt open Group B against Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25 before travelling to face South Sudan four days later.

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Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick and provided an assist as Trabzonspor thrashed Galatasaray 4-0 in Thomas Reis’ first match in charge.

The Egyptian forward produced all four goal contributions at Papara Park on Saturday. Salah struck twice before half-time and set up Noah Saviolo between his goals. He then completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute.

The victory moved Trabzonspor onto 10 points after six Turkish Süper Lig matches. It also handed leaders Galatasaray their first league defeat of the season.

Salah needed only four minutes to open the scoring. The 34-year-old collected the ball near halfway and raced clear of the Galatasaray defence. He then beat Uğurcan Çakır to give Trabzonspor an early lead.

Salah nearly scored again five minutes later after beating several defenders, but Galatasaray survived.

The Egyptian turned provider in the 39th minute after assisting Saviolo, whose low finish doubled Trabzonspor’s advantage.

Five minutes later, Salah struck again. Franculino Djú capitalised on a defensive mistake before finding the Egyptian, who made it 3-0 before half-time.

Salah completed his hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining, sealing Trabzonspor’s biggest victory of the season.

The treble takes him to seven goals in six Süper Lig appearances this campaign. He has also provided two assists.

The result also gave Thomas Reis a perfect start after Trabzonspor appointed him as Fatih Tekke’s successor on Thursday.

The German arrived after a disappointing opening to the season. Trabzonspor had collected seven points from their first five league matches. They entered Saturday’s game following a 1-0 defeat at Konyaspor.

Reis kept Salah on the right of a three-man attack alongside Franculino and Saviolo, each of whom contributed to the four goals against the reigning Turkish champions.

Prior to this match, Salah had twice against İstanbul Başakşehir before finding the net against Amedspor. The former Liverpool forward then scored and assisted in the 5-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği.

Salah joined Trabzonspor this summer after ending his nine-year spell at Liverpool.

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Shabab Al Ahli have completed the signing of Juan Bezerra from Zamalek, ending a weeks-long dispute over the Brazilian winger’s future.

Both clubs confirmed the transfer on Saturday, with Zamalek saying the agreement came after Shabab Al Ahli met the conditions they had set during negotiations, while the UAE club said Bezerra will strengthen their first-team squad.

As Kingfut previously reported, the expected guaranteed fee is $5 million, with an additional $1 million in add-ons. Zamalek will reportedly receive $3 million immediately, another $1 million in January, and the final guaranteed $1 million several months later.

Zamalek media director Maher Gharib also confirmed that the White Knights will receive 20% of any future transfer fee for Bezerra.

The transfer concludes a dispute that began before the start of Zamalek’s season. Shabab Al Ahli initially offered around $4 million for Bezerra, but Zamalek rejected the proposal. The winger then stayed away from the club’s pre-season preparations as he pushed for the move.

The disagreement became public in August when Bezerra accused Zamalek of reneging on an agreement to allow him to leave if an acceptable offer arrived.

As KingFut reported at the time, a leaked letter showed that Zamalek had earlier quoted Shabab Al Ahli $6 million up front plus $1 million in add-ons.

Bezerra eventually returned to Cairo on September 12 after more than 40 days away from the club.

Zamalek then reopened talks, with KingFut reporting that the club demanded $6 million before approving his departure.

The Brazilian later apologised to the board, coaching staff, teammates and supporters. He also accepted disciplinary action while maintaining that he wanted to leave.

Bezerra leaves after just one season in Cairo. The winger joined Zamalek from Ukrainian side Oleksandriya in August 2025 and signed a contract running until June 2029.

He made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing 12 assists. Bezerra played a major role as Zamalek won the 2025/26 Egyptian Premier League title.

He also helped the White Knights reach the CAF Confederation Cup final, where they lost to USM Alger on penalties.

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Pyramids came from behind to beat El Sharkia ENPPI and return to the Egyptian Premier League summit, while ZED struck late to defeat Canal SC.

The victory took Pyramids to 15 points from five matches, maintaining their perfect start to the season.

Rolani Mokwena’s side finished Gameweek Five two points clear of Zamalek and Al Ahly, who both have 13, while Ceramica Cleopatra sit fourth with 12.

Pyramids entered Thursday as the only side yet to drop a point. They had also kept clean sheets in all four previous league matches, scoring seven goals without reply.

El Sharkia ENPPI threatened to end that run when Hamed Abdallah opened the scoring shortly after half-time. Pyramids responded, however, turning the game around to claim a 2-1 victory and a fifth successive league win.

It was the first goal Mokwena’s side have conceded in the league this season, but their perfect winning record remains intact.

Pyramids had opened the campaign with a 3-0 win over Ghazl El-Mahalla. They then beat Abu Qir Fertilizers 2-0 before successive 1-0 victories against Al Masry and El Gouna.

Late Winner Gives ZED Three Points

Earlier on Thursday, ZED beat Canal SC 2-1 after Mohamed Hussein scored a stoppage-time winner.

Ahmed Atef broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart, finding the net from distance, but Canal drew level in the 83rd minute through Mohamed Hamdy Zaki’s penalty and appeared set to preserve their unbeaten start.

However, Mohamed Hussein scored in the fourth minute of added time to hand ZED all three points.

The victory lifted ZED to seven points, while Canal remain on six after suffering their first league defeat of the season.

Pyramids’ win completed a round in which the top spot changed hands repeatedly.

Ceramica temporarily moved first on Monday after beating National Bank of Egypt 2-0, while Smouha earned their first win of the campaign.

Al Ahly then took over on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory against Abu Qir Fertilizers. Ittihad Alexandria, Modern Sport and Arab Contractors also won that day.

Zamalek climbed above Al Ahly on goal difference on Wednesday after Ahmed Sherif’s late penalty secured a 1-0 win at Ghazl El-Mahalla. Suez Petrojet also recorded their second successive victory by beating El Gouna 2-1.

Pyramids ultimately ended the round back at the top.

The Premier League now pauses for the international break, with Egypt facing Angola on September 25 and South Sudan four days later in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

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Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has named a 24-man squad for the Pharaohs’ opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) announced the squad late Wednesday ahead of a camp that begins on September 17.

Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Haissem Hassan headline a group that largely retains the core of Egypt’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Al Ahly midfielder Ali Mahmoud has also been included, while Abdelaziz El-Balouty returns to the goalkeeping group.

Egypt will host Angola at Cairo International Stadium on September 25 before travelling to Juba to face South Sudan four days later. The EFA had earlier confirmed the full September camp program.

Egypt’s Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Mostafa Shobeir, Mahdi Soliman, Mohamed Alaa, Abdelaziz El-Balouty.

Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Tarek Alaa, Rami Rabia, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Hamdy Fathy, Ahmed Fattouh, Karim Hafez.

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Ali Mahmoud, Ibrahim Adel, Mostafa Ziko, Haissem Hassan, Mohamed Salah.

Forwards: Omar Marmoush, Hamza Abdelkarim.

Out of the 24 players, the squad contains 22 players who were part of Egypt’s World Cup selection.

El-Balouty and Ali Mahmoud are the two additions, while Mohamed El-Shenawy, Yasser Ibrahim, Nabil Emad Donga, and Mahmoud Trezeguet are absent.

National team director Ibrahim Hassan confirmed that injuries ruled several players out of the camp, including Trezeguet and Yasser Ibrahim.

Trezeguet had been part of Egypt’s World Cup squad and remained a regular under Hossam Hassan before his move to Saudi side Al Riyadh.

Marwan Attia remains in the squad, but will miss the Angola match through suspension.

CAF handed the midfielder a two-match ban during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He served the first game of that suspension against Nigeria in the third-place playoff.

The Pharaohs open their AFCON qualifying campaign against Angola at Cairo International Stadium at 10 pm Cairo time on September 25.

They will fly to South Sudan on September 27 before facing the hosts in Juba at 3 pm on September 29.

Hassan’s side will then face South Africa in a friendly at Cairo International Stadium on October 4, with kick-off scheduled for 9 pm.

Egypt were drawn in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan and Malawi for the 2027 qualifiers.

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Zamalek moved top of the Egyptian Premier League after a late 1-0 win over Ghazl El-Mahalla, while Suez Petrojet beat El Gouna 2-1.

Ahmed Sherif converted an 88th-minute penalty to secure all three points for Zamalek at Ghazl El-Mahalla Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory took the White Knights to 13 points from five matches. They moved level with Al Ahly and climbed above the Red Devils on goal difference.

Zamalek struggled to break down a Mahalla side playing their first match under new head coach Khaled Galal. The hosts also created chances of their own, but Mahdi Soliman denied Abdo Yehia in the first half before the forward wasted another opportunity after the break.

Zamalek finally found the breakthrough when the referee awarded them a late penalty following a challenge on Mahmoud Bentayg.

Sherif, who had come off the bench at half-time, stepped up and converted in the 88th minute. The goal secured Zamalek’s fourth league victory of the season.

The White Knights remain unbeaten after four wins and one draw. Mahalla, meanwhile, stay bottom of the table with one point from five matches.

Suez Petrojet Claim Back-to-Back Wins

Earlier on Wednesday, Suez Petrojet continued their recovery by beating El Gouna 2-1 at Khaled Beshara Stadium.

Mostafa El-Badry opened the scoring after 25 minutes. Mohamed Ali Okasha doubled the visitors’ lead eight minutes later.

El Gouna defender Saber El-Shimy pulled one back in stoppage time, but Suez Petrojet held on for the win.

The victory lifted Suez Petrojet to seven points and marked their second successive league win. They had collected only one point from their opening three matches before beating Al Masry 2-1 in Gameweek Four.

El-Badry has now scored three goals in five league appearances this season.

Wednesday’s fixtures continued a Gameweek Five that began on Monday.

Smouha recorded their first victory of the season, while Ceramica Cleopatra beat National Bank of Egypt to move temporarily to the top.

Al Ahly then reclaimed top spot on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Abu Qir Fertilizers, while Ittihad Alexandria, Modern Sport and Arab Contractors also secured victories the same day.

The fifth round concludes on Thursday. ZED face Canal SC before Pyramids take on Eastern ENPPI.

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Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” and Hussein El-Shahat scored as Al Ahly won 2-0 to move provisionally top of the Egyptian Premier League.

The victory at Cairo International Stadium took Al Ahly to 13 points from five matches, one ahead of Ceramica Cleopatra and Pyramids. Pyramids have a game in hand.

The Red Devils won after drawing 1-1 with Arab Contractors in Gameweek Four, while Abu Qir remained 17th with three points after their fourth consecutive defeat.

Coach Hussein Ammouta made six changes to his starting lineup, including an entirely different back four of Akram Tawfik, Hadi Riad, Yassin Marei and Karim Fouad.

Zizo opened the scoring in the 16th minute after collecting Soufiane Benjdida’s pass, rounding goalkeeper Mahmoud “Gennesh” Abdelrahim and finishing.

Gennesh kept Abu Qir in contention with saves from Benjdida and Zizo, including an overhead kick from the latter.

The visitors almost equalised when Youssef Hamdi’s header struck the post. Al Ahly’s defence cleared the danger before substitute Monsef Bakrar missed a chance to double the lead in stoppage time.

El-Shahat finally secured the points in the fourth minute of added time. He received Mohamed Magdy “Afsha’s” pass and struck from outside the penalty area into the far corner.

Ittihad Extend Winning Run Against Al Masry

All three of Tuesday’s other league matches also finished 2-0, with Ittihad Alexandria, Modern Sport and Arab Contractors claiming victories.

Ittihad beat Al Masry at New Suez Stadium to record their third successive win and move sixth on 10 points.

Baher El-Mohamady’s own goal put Ittihad ahead in the 58th minute, and substitute John Ebuka added the second in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Al Masry remained 10th on six points after their third consecutive defeat.

Modern Sport Score Stunner to Beat Asyut Petroleum

Modern Sport reached 10 points with victory over Asyut Petroleum, who remained second-bottom on two.

Mohamed Ahmed “Sharkia” headed Modern ahead in the 30th minute. Asyut then lost Ahmed Khaled to a red card in the 53rd minute following a challenge on goalkeeper Mostafa Makhlouf.

Mohamed Sabry sealed the win with a shot from around halfway after spotting the goalkeeper off his line.

Late Goals Lift Arab Contractors Past Wadi Degla

Arab Contractors scored twice late on to beat Wadi Degla at Al Salam Stadium, spoiling Mostafa Shebeita’s first match in charge.

Idrissa Thiam opened the scoring with around 10 minutes remaining, before Mostafa Gamal converted a stoppage-time penalty. Contractors reached seven points, while Wadi Degla stayed on five after their second successive defeat.

Tuesday’s results followed Monday’s opening matches, when Smouha earned their first win of the season by beating Tala’ea El-Gaish 1-0.

Ceramica had defeated El Bank El Ahly 2-0 to take the provisional lead before Al Ahly moved above them, as KingFut reported in its coverage of Gameweek Five’s opening day.

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Smouha secured their first Egyptian Premier League win of the season against Tala’ea El-Gaish, while Ceramica Cleopatra beat El Bank El Ahly.

Ceramica’s 2-0 victory lifted them to 12 points, level with Pyramids, who have played one match fewer, while both Zamalek and Al Ahly remain on 10 points.

Smouha climbed to 16th with four points after their 1-0 win. El-Gaish remained seventh on seven points, while El Bank El Ahly stayed 10th with six.

The victory gave Smouha their first goal and first win of the Premier League campaign. They had already collected one point from a goalless draw against Asyut Petroleum in Gameweek Two.

Their other three opening matches ended in defeats against Al Masry, Al Ahly and Ceramica.

El-Gaish suffered a setback before half-time when Yehia Mostafa received his second yellow card in the 41st minute for a challenge on Amr El-Sisi.

Mohamed Saeed “Makarona” then headed Smouha ahead in the 62nd minute, with Samir Fekri providing the assist. The visitors protected their lead to secure three points.

Later in the day, Ceramica recorded their fourth consecutive victory through goals from Mohamed Reda “Bobo” and Amr Kalawa.

Bobo broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, finishing powerfully inside the penalty area after a passing move involving Marwan Osman and Ahmed Belhadj.

Goalkeeper Mohamed Alaa preserved Ceramica’s advantage nine minutes later by saving Ahmed Yasser Rayan’s header. Kalawa doubled the lead in the 65th minute, capitalising on a misplaced pass and driving a low shot into the net.

El Bank El Ahly could not find a response and suffered their third defeat in five league matches.

Ceramica had also beaten Smouha 2-0 in the previous round, as covered in KingFut’s Gameweek Four coverage. Pyramids subsequently finished the round top of the Premier League as Al Ahly dropped points.

Gameweek Five continues on Tuesday, when Al Ahly face Abu Qir Fertilizers. Zamalek meet Ghazl El-Mahalla on Wednesday, before Pyramids take on ENPPI on Thursday.

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Juan Bezerra requested to leave Zamalek and accepted disciplinary sanctions, with any sale pending board approval.

The Brazilian winger agreed with club officials to issue a public apology for his absence from training. However, the meeting did not produce final approval for his departure, according to sources.

The source said the club were leaning towards a sale, but the board would review the meeting’s conclusions before making its decision.

Bezerra coordinated his subsequent apology with Zamalek officials as part of the discussions. In an Instagram statement, the winger apologised to the board, coaching staff, teammates and supporters, while confirming his willingness to accept disciplinary action. He also made clear that he still wanted a transfer.

“I have chosen to leave because I believe I now have a great opportunity that may not come again,” Bezerra wrote, describing the opportunity as a “dream” for himself and his family, while thanking Zamalek for their efforts to keep him.

Zamalek’s media chief, Maher Gharib, subsequently told Modern Sport during a TV appearance that the club wanted a package worth $7 million and a 20% sell-on clause.

Gharib said Bezerra would not join Monday’s training session and that Zamalek would not force him to stay against his wishes. The club would announce its position once all requirements were met, he added.

Shabab Al Ahli remain the prospective destination. Just yesterday, Gharib said the White Knights would seek a $6 million transfer fee, but those figures differ from Gharib’s demands today.

Bezerra returned to Cairo on Saturday after his prolonged absence, fulfilling Zamalek’s requirement that he return before discussions over his future, as KingFut previously reported.

The winger joined Zamalek from Ukrainian club Oleksandriya in 2025 on a contract running until 2029. He helped the White Knights win last season’s Egyptian Premier League title.

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