Manchester City could face a selection dilemma in mid-December as Egypt prepare to include Omar Marmoush in their squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), potentially ruling him out of City’s crucial Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.The upcoming winter schedule already promises to test Pep Guardiola’s squad depth, with the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and Carabao Cup quarter-finals all taking place within a congested period. Injuries and international call-ups could become decisive factors in maintaining City’s rhythm.
Omar Marmoush, who has gradually established himself as a valuable attacking option under Pep Guardiola, remains a crucial figure for both club and country. His form and versatility have made him a reliable contributor across City’s frontline, but his potential early departure for AFCON preparations may disrupt Guardiola’s attacking plans.
According to journalist Ismael Mahmoud, the Egyptian Football Federation has agreed to stage a friendly match against Nigeria on December 14 at the Cairo International Stadium as part of their final preparations for the continental tournament.
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan reportedly hopes to have his entire AFCON squad available for that friendly, including Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush. However, due to their Premier League commitments on the same day, both players are unlikely to participate.
For Omar Marmoush, that day coincides with Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, kicking off at 14:00 GMT. City are expected to resist any early release request from Egypt, emphasizing the importance of the fixture in the ongoing title race.
Although FIFA regulations allow national teams to call up players up to 14 days before the start of major tournaments, reports indicate that both Marmoush and Salah will likely remain with their clubs until after their domestic matches on December 14.
Pep Guardiola is anticipated to manage his attacking rotation carefully in the lead-up to AFCON, ensuring players like Marmoush, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland stay fresh for a demanding run of fixtures.
If Egypt push for an early camp inclusion, discussions between the Egyptian FA and Manchester City could intensify. However, current indications suggest that Omar Marmoush will remain available to City until after the Crystal Palace game before joining his national teammates.
Should Egypt advance deep into the tournament, Marmoush could miss additional City fixtures, including the potential Premier League derby clash with Manchester United. His return could align with City’s Champions League trip to Bodø/Glimt in late January.
FAQs
Q: Will Omar Marmoush miss Manchester City’s match against Crystal Palace?
A: As it stands, no. Despite Egypt’s request to have him for a December 14 friendly, Manchester City are expected to keep Marmoush available for the Premier League clash that same day.
Q: Why does Egypt want Omar Marmoush early?
A: Egypt plan to hold a preparatory friendly match against Nigeria before AFCON 2025 and want their full squad present for tactical and fitness preparations.
Q: When does AFCON 2025 begin?
A: The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is set to begin in early January, with teams allowed to call players up to two weeks before the start of the competition.
Q: Could Marmoush miss more City games if Egypt reach the AFCON final?
A: Yes. If Egypt advance to the final, Omar Marmoush could miss Manchester City’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United and may only return in time for their Champions League clash later in January.
Conclusion
The tug-of-war between Manchester City and Egypt over Omar Marmoush’s AFCON availability adds another layer of complexity to an already hectic winter schedule. While Egypt prepare for continental glory, Pep Guardiola will look to maintain balance and momentum at club level. For now, an early exit appears unlikely, but both sides will be watching the calendar closely as the tournament approaches.
