Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Vice President Hany Abou Rida announced that the national football team will join the next African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2013.

“Egypt didn’t join CHAN in the last two seasons due to participating in the African Cup of Nations,” he told Al-Ahram's news portal.

“For Egypt, there is no difference between CHAN and the African Cup of Nations as the team depends on the local players,” he added.

On the other hand, the Pharaohs recently asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone their game against South Africa scheduled on 25 March in the African Cup of Nations 2012 qualifiers because of unrest at home.

Shehata’s men are bottom of their group with a single point as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sierra Leone before suffering a shock 1-0 defeat against Niger.