Egypt to miss key player against Burkina Faso due to injury

Egypt will be without key midfielder Hamdi Fathi for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso, after the player complained of an injury after Friday’s win over Ethiopia.

The Pharaohs are set to face Burkina Faso on Tuesday at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, in matchday eight of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers. A victory could mathematically secure Egypt’s place at the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Team director Ibrahim Hassan confirmed that Fathi, the player of Qatari side Al Wakrah, was left out of the traveling squad after scans revealed a foot injury sustained following the Ethiopia match. “There were attempts to prepare him in time for the Burkina Faso clash, but in the end, the decision was made to rest the player at his own request,” Hassan explained.

حمدي فتحي يسجل في شباك الدحيل بالدوري القطري ⚽️pic.twitter.com/uogBEObu60

— EParena.com (@EParena) December 17, 2023

Fathi’s absence comes as a blow to Hossam Hassan’s side, who will now look to other midfield options to fill the gap in such a decisive fixture.

Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 last Friday to maintain their position at the top of Group A, setting up a high-stakes encounter with second-placed Burkina Faso.

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