The Spanish club Barcelona is reportedly concerned about the participation of Egyptian player Hamza Abdel Karim in the upcoming match against South Sudan in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. According to a report by the Spanish newspaper Sport, the club is worried about the condition of the field in South Sudan, which is made of deteriorated artificial turf. This has led to concerns about the safety of their player.
The match between Egypt and South Sudan is set to take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 4 pm local time. Egypt's national team is preparing for the match without two key players, Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Abdel Monem, who have withdrawn from the squad due to concerns about playing on artificial turf. Hamza Abdel Karim is expected to play a significant role in the match, especially with Salah's absence.
The field in South Sudan has been a point of contention, with Mohamed Salah previously withdrawing from the team due to concerns about the playing surface. The artificial turf has been deemed unsuitable for high-level matches, and there are concerns about the risk of injury to players. Egypt's team will be looking to bounce back from a goalless draw against Angola in their first match of the qualifiers.
Egypt and South Sudan have faced each other only once before, in a friendly match in 2023, which ended in a 3-0 victory for Egypt. The two teams are part of Group 2 in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, along with Angola, Malawi, and South Sudan. Egypt's team is expected to field a strong lineup for the match, with Hamza Abdel Karim likely to feature prominently.
The concerns about the field in South Sudan have been echoed by the Egyptian team's management, with some players expressing concerns about the safety of the playing surface. Despite these concerns, the team is expected to go ahead with the match, with Hamza Abdel Karim and other players ready to take on the challenge.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers have seen some surprising results, with some top teams struggling to secure wins. Egypt's team will be looking to secure a win against South Sudan to boost their chances of qualifying for the tournament. The team's coach and management will be keeping a close eye on the situation, ensuring that the players are prepared for the challenges ahead.
In related news, Egypt's Olympic team has been undergoing medical and physical tests in preparation for upcoming matches. The team's coach, Wail Joma, has expressed confidence in the team's abilities, despite some concerns about player fitness. The team's performance in the qualifiers will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Key points
- Barcelona is concerned about Hamza Abdel Karim's participation in Egypt's match against South Sudan due to the poor condition of the field.
