'Has Egyptian, English, Nigerian nationalities' - Egyptian coach confirms Arsenal LB wants to play for Pharaohs

Egypt U19 national team manager Wael Riad has revealed that he recently communicated with three players of dual nationality based abroad who are willing to represent the Pharaohs.

Riad confirmed that Arsenal left-back Cam'ron Ismail trained with the squad in Ismaila last month as part of the U19 preparations for the North African Youth Championship which will be held in Tunisia from 11 to 22 November, 2023.

The Egyptian national team rosters are mainly composed of players based in the domestic championship but the Egyptian Football Association want to borrow a page from their Algerian and Moroccan counterparts by recruiting players with multiple citizenship.

Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations with several dual nationals in their squad including the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Sofiane Feghouli, Adam Ounas and Adlène Guedioura, while Morocco became the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the Fifa World Cup with dual national players such as Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat and Hakim Ziyech playing key roles.

Arsenal's first-year scholar Ismail is eligible for Nigeria through his father, Egypt by virtue of being born to an Egyptian mother and England where he was born and raised. 

In quotes relayed by Arabian sports website Kooora, Riad told reporters in Wednesday's press conference: "We have dual nationality players, and I was working closely on this matter with the Olympic team, and I actually contributed to bringing Mustafa Ashraf in.

"I contacted three professionals who were on the verge of joining the youth team. There are two players with dual citizenship, namely Cam'ron Ismail, who has Egyptian, English and Nigerian nationalities.

"He welcomed being with us and joined the first camp and did well, but he needs time to adapt."

Ismail was originally a striker before he was converted to a left-back, where he can contribute defensively and offensively.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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