Aboutrika has been used as a substitute in previous matches, coming on with a positive impact as Egypt finished top of Group C after their first three matches in Kumasi.
However Shehata will be hard-pressed to accommodate the Al Ahli player after the success of the Egypt midfield in the matches against Cameroon, Sudan and Zambia.
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"I wasn't happy with the defence, we need to work hard before the quarter-final."
Hassan Shehata,
Egypt coach |
It is in defence that the coach is most concerned as Egypt come up against a highly-rated Angola attack that includes African Cup goal-scoring machine Manucho.
"I wasn't happy with the defence, we need to work hard before the quarter-final," Shehata told reporters this week.
Mohamed Zidan is expected to return for Egypt in a three-man attack after being a substitute in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Zambia.
Antelopes look toward semis
For Angola, it is their first ever quarter-final appearance at the African Cup, but coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves has insisted his players deserve to be among Africa's elite after their performances in the first round in Ghana.
"We have new challenges and we want to go as far as we can in this test," Goncalves said.
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"We don't want to stop here, we want to get to the semi-finals."
Luis Oliveira Goncalves,
Angola coach |
"We are ready for the fourth game but we are also thinking about the fifth.
"We don't want to stop here, we want to get to the semi-finals."
Strikers Flavio and Manucho form the threat to Egypt's defence, fed by a regular supply from left winger Gilberto.
Flavio and Gilberto play for Cairo giants Al Ahli and will come up against many of their club mates on Monday.
Manucho, Manchester United striker, was loaned to Panathinaikos in a deal sealed in the departure hall of Tamale airport on Thursday night, just hours before the January transfer window in Europe closed.
Meanwhile, Egypt's players slaughtered a cow at their training session on Friday, stabbing the beast to death in a sacrifice they hope will bring them luck in Monday's quarter-final.