The Pharaohs are scheduled to face Malawi in a double header, with the first game being held on 24 March at Cairo International Stadium and the second taking place on 28 March at the Lilongwe Bingu National Stadium in Malawi's capital.

“The two games are very important for us as we play only to win,” Vitoria told a press conference on Saturday.  

“The game against Malawi {in Lilongwe} will be played at 3pm during Ramadan month but we will prepare ourselves to face all barriers including the hot weather and expected rainfall,” the Portuguese coach added.

“We follow the players’ special training program and we are in continued contact with them,” he said.

Egypt is currently third in Group D with three points after beating Guinea 1-0 at home but losing against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

The 52-year-old Portuguese tactician announced the 24-player squad ahead of the Malawi games, including long absent Ahly forward Mahmoud 'Kahraba' Abdel-Moneim after his superb performance with the Reds in the previous games.

“I am happy with the performance of Ahly striker Kahraba as he impressed me with his moves and tactics so he deserves to join the national team squad,” Vitoria said.

The 28-year-old Kahraba scored a hat-trick during Ahly’s 4-0 win over Coton Sport of Cameroon in the CAF Champions League on Friday.

“Scoring a hat-trick against Coton Sport of Cameroon supported my decision of calling up the player to join Egypt squad,” Vitoria added.

The Pharaohs squad also see the appearance of Ahly right-back Mohamed Hany and Pyramids FC winger Mostafa Fathi after a long absence alongside three uncapped players Hesham Salah, Marwan Atteya and Ahmed Abdel-Kader.

Egypt will hold a closed camp for Malawi double header string 20-28 March.

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