The hopes of Nigerian football fans and local Liverpool supporters, most especially, has been dashed as the man everyone would want to see will be absent in the clash between Nigeria and Egypt at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba on March 26, after the final round of qualification matches for the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) on March 23.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has been left out of the 25-man list released by the Javier Aguirre to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the highly anticipated international friendly. The coach favoured the listing of more players on the continent than their foreign-based counterparts, busybuddiesng.com reports.

The Pharaohs of Egypt have locked horns 17 times with the Super Eagles and the West African side have a higher advantage. They have lost seven, drawn five and won five. However, since the 1990 AFCON, Nigeria has not won against the North Africans having lost three encounters and drawing two.

Both teams have already secured qualification for the historic continental showpiece, with eventual hosts Egypt qualifying second in Group J with 12 points and Nigeria first in Group E with 10 points.

Salah could have been left out of the squad due to his club’s quest for their first League title since the Premier League era, with the 27-year-old playing a key role in the Jurgen Klopp’s set up.

The Pharaoh’s Squad List Against Nigeria:

Goalkeepers: Mahmoud Gennesh (Zamalek), Mahmoud Abou-Gabal (Smouha), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Pyramids), Amer Amer (Entag El-Harby)

Defenders: Omar Gaber (Pyramids), Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Ali Gabr (Pyramids), Mahmoud Alaa (Zamalek), Baher El-Mohamady (Ismaily), Ahmed Ayman Mansour (Pyramids), Karim Hafez (Kasimpasa), Ahmed Aboul-Fotouh (Smouha)

Midfielders: Amr El-Sulaya (Al Ahly), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Ali Ghazal (CD Feirense), Mohamed Nabil ‘Dunga’ (Pyramids)

Strikers: Ahmed Hassan Kouka (Olympiacos), Salah Mohsen (Al Ahly), Mostafa Mohamed (Tala’a El-Gaish)