Al Ahly star Emam Ashour has been left out of the Egypt squad for the upcoming 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, back-to-back clashes against Malawi, by new head coach Ali Maher.

Emam has also missed the past four matches for the club, including the CAF Confederation Cup matches against Uganda’s Kitara.

Maher replaced veteran Hossam Hassam on Saturday, and this is his first squad.

The former Ahly striker has recalled Mahmoud ‘El Wensh’ Hamdy, Mohamed Shehata, Mahmoud Marei and Nasser Maher, who have all been away for over a year. Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy has also been included in the list after missing the September camp, and uncapped current league top scorer Mahmoud Mamdouh has also been included.

The squad features nine foreign-based players, headlined by captain Mohamed Salah and Tottenham Hotspur forward Omar Marmoush.

Egypt currently top Group B of the AFCON qualifiers with four points, having opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Angola before thrashing South Sudan 5-0 in their second match.

The 2027 AFCON finals will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

Egypt 26-man squad

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Mostafa Shobeir (Ahly), Mahdy Soliman (Zamalek), Mohamed Alaa (Ceramica Cleopatra FC).

Defenders: Mahmoud ‘El-Wensh’ Hamdy, Ahmed Fattouh (Zamalek), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Rami Rabia (Al-Ain, UAE), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice, France), Mahmoud Marie, Karim Hafez (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Hany (Ahly), Tarek Alaa (ZED FC).

Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Ahmed ‘Zizo’ Sayed (Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen, Mahmoud Saber, Nasser Maher (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland, Denmark), Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan (Al-Riyadh FC – Saudi Arabia), Haithem Hassan (Celtic, Scotland).

Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Omar Marmoush (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona, Spain), Mahmoud Mamdouh (Modern Sport FC).

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Joshua Balliner delivered a hat-trick to lead the University of Santo Tomas to a dominant 5-1 victory over the University of the East in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.

Balliner opened the scoring in the ninth minute.

Although not as quick as his season-fastest goal against UE on October 18 — when he found the back of the net just 10 seconds into the match to help secure a 3-0 UST victory — his early strike once again set the tone for the Golden Booters.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

Unlike their first-round encounter, however, the Red Warriors quickly responded, with Keith Hermoso powering through for the equalizer in the 13th minute.

Balliner restored UST’s lead just five minutes later before Carsten Pumareja extended the advantage in the 29th minute, sending the Golden Booters into halftime with a 3-1 cushion.

Novie Paraiso made it 4-1 in the 62nd minute, setting the stage for Balliner to put the finishing touches on the victory and complete his first hat-trick of the season with an 82nd-minute strike.

With another three points secured, UST moved to fourth place with 14 points, level with De La Salle University but behind the Green Booters on goal difference, +8 to +13.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“We dedicate this win to Fr. Rodel Cansansio, who is celebrating his birthday,” shared assistant coach Carlos Santiago.

“We told the boys that they didn’t need to score much; just a win of 1-0 will do. Kasi yun ang goal namin to gain the three points, but the boys played well as they knew the urgency. They had the confidence, determination and discipline against UE,” he continued.

Both squads return to action at the UP Diliman Football Stadium on Thursday.

UST kicks off the day’s fixtures at 2 p.m., looking to overtake DLSU for third place, while UE searches for its first points of the season in the 7 p.m. finale against Ateneo de Manila University.

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Uganda Martyrs Lubaga WFC captain Gloria Namugerwa believes her team’s impressive start to the 2026/27 FUFA Women’s Super League season is the result of hard work, proper preparation, and a squad that has learned to pull in the same direction.

With new faces blending into an established group of players, Namugerwa says the changes made within the team have started paying off, but insists their performances are no accident.

“This season, we’ve changed quite a lot of things. We have new faces, and they have been a good addition to the team. And of course, the old players, we’ve done so much,” she said.

The captain is particularly pleased with how the team has responded to the preparations made before the campaign, explaining that their current form reflects the work put in behind the scenes.

“We’ve had enough preparations. What we are doing is not a surprise. They have tried to organise us, and as players, we’ve been doing so hard to see the fire burning,” Namugerwa added.

Her words come at a time when Uganda Martyrs are enjoying life at the top of the table after a strong opening six matches.

The Lubaga-based side climbed to first place on Saturday, November 7, following a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against newcomers Jinja United WFC at Phillip Omondi Stadium.

It was not the easiest afternoon for the hosts after Jinja United struck first in the eighth minute, putting Uganda Martyrs on the back foot.

However, they showed the character that has defined much of their campaign. Midfielder Immaculate Nakanjako brought them level in the 22nd minute before an own goal by Janat Babirye completed the comeback and secured all three points.

Forward Auki Angel Kigongo also had reason to celebrate after being named Woman of the Match for the third time this season, another indication of her importance to the team, having also bagged three goals so far this season.

For Namugerwa, the secret behind their consistency lies in the attitude they carry into every fixture. She revealed that the players make promises to themselves and the technical team before stepping onto the pitch, with everyone sharing one objective.

“Well, before entering any game, we make promises to ourselves and to the entire technical team. But all we have one voice that is winning the game. We want to win each and every game that comes our way,” she said.

That desire to win has been reflected in their results. Uganda Martyrs have collected 13 points from six matches, winning four, drawing one and losing once.

Their only defeat came in October when they suffered a narrow 2-1 away loss to defending champions Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC. They have since put that disappointment behind them, responding with important victories, including a 1-0 win over St Noa Girls FC.

The victory against Jinja United was another test of their character, particularly after falling behind early. Rather than panic, Uganda Martyrs found a way back into the contest and maintained their push for the three points.

After winning against Lady Doves FC, Rines SS WFC, St. Noa Girls FC, Jinja United WFC and drawing with She Corporate, they now lead the standings with 13 points and a goal difference of plus five, the best in the league.

St Noa Girls Zana FC and She Maroons FC follow in second and third place respectively, both on 11 points. St Noa have a goal difference of plus four, while She Maroons have plus two.

KCCA Women FC are fourth with nine points from six matches and a goal difference of plus three, while URA Ladies FC occupy fifth position with nine points from five matches and a goal difference of plus one.

Although the campaign is still young, Uganda Martyrs have given themselves a strong foundation to build on. However, there is little room for complacency.

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