JOHANNESBURG - Egypt have withdrawn from the 2015 All-Africa Games tournament in Congo Brazzaville during September, the African Football Confederation (CAF) confirmed Thursday.
Egypt national team player Emad Metaab pictured during a training session at the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo on November 12, 2014
A CAF statement gave no reason for the decision, but Cairo media reports said coach Hossam El Badry was not prepared to compete with a severely weakened squad.
The All-Africa Games tournament is restricted to under-23 footballers and the star of the team, midfielder Kahraba, was among those who would not have been available.
He will be needed by the senior national team for a Cup of Nations qualifier in Chad on September 6 and by Zamalek for a CAF Confederation Cup game against Orlando Pirates a week later.
Egypt defeated Kenya and Burundi in All-Africa Games qualifiers with Kahraba -- real name Mahmoud Abdel Moneim Abdel Hamid -- the four-goal leading scorer in the preliminary competition.
The withdrawal of the two-time champions has reduced Group B to three teams: title-holders Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, as Burundi turned down an offer to replace Egypt.
Football matches in the multi-sport Games are scheduled from September 6 to 18, while the other group comprises Congo Brazzaville, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.