Mohamed El-Shennawy will miss Egypt’s match against Botswana on Tuesday in the final round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to suspension.
The Al-Ahly goalkeeper received a second yellow card during Egypt’s 1-1 draw with Cape Verde in the previous round.
Questions have been raised about who will captain Egypt in light of the absence of El-Shennawy and before him Mohamed Salah and a number of senior players such as Ahmed Hegazy and Mohamed Elneny from Hossam Hassan’s current camp.
Egyptian media revealed that Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet will be Egypt’s first captain, for the first time in his career, during the Botswana match.
As is customary in Egypt, the captain is chosen based on seniority, and Trezeguet is currently the oldest player in the Egyptian national team.
The former Al Ahly player began his career in November 2014, when he made his debut for the Pharaohs against Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Since then, the 30-year-old Trezeguet has played 77 international matches for the Egyptian national team.
Trezeguet will be followed in leading Egypt by Pyramids player Mostafa Fathi, then Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad and finally Al Ahly star Taher Mohamed Taher.
It is worth noting that Egypt has secured qualification as the top of its group for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held between December 2025 and January 2026 in Morocco.
