2021 AFCON: Egypt goalkeeper, Abu-Jabal contracts Coronavirus

Pharoahs of Egypt second choice goalkeeper Mohamed Abu-Jabal has tested positive for coronavirus, just one day before the squad plan to travel to Cameroon for the AFCON.

The Egyptian Football Association disclosed this on their verified Twitter handle on Friday.

The football body also revealed that legendary goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary, who is also part of Carlos Queiroz’s coaching crew also tested positive for COVID-19.

The seven-time African champions were set to travel to Garoua, Cameroon on Saturday morning where they will face Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

However, it has not been confirmed yet whether the duo will miss the whole tournament or will travel later to join their teammates, especially as CAF allows players who have recovered from COVID-19 to take part in the games, but after some medical tests.

Abu-Jabal, 32, was expected to be the backup keeper for the Pharaohs behind Al Ahly’s Mohamed El-Shennawy, with young keepers Mohamed Sobhi of Phraco FC and ENPPI’s Mahmoud Gad also being named in the squad.

Both Sobhi and Gad have never represented the Pharaohs on any occasion, but were part of the Egypt squad that played in the FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar.

El-Hadary was set to take part in the AFCON as a coach for the first time, having already represented Egypt across seven different tournaments, most recently in 2017.

The 48-year-old was an integral part of the team that won three consecutive AFCONs between 2006 to 2010 as well as lifting the cup back in 1998 as a backup keeper.