The Egyptian Football Association has announced that Mohamed Salah, the star player of the national team, left the team's camp on Saturday, September 26, 2026. According to the association, Salah was rested for the upcoming match against South Sudan due to concerns over the pitch. The decision was made by the team's coach, Hossam Hassan, to prioritize the player's well-being. This move comes after Egypt's recent draw against Angola in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Earlier, a source close to the national team confirmed that Salah had left the camp in the morning. The association's statement clarified that the decision to rest Salah was made to protect him from potential injuries on the "artificial" pitch. Egypt is set to face South Sudan on September 29, 2026, in the second round of the qualifiers. The team currently sits second in Group Two, behind Malawi, which defeated South Sudan 2-1 in their opening match.
Salah had previously missed a match against Mauritania in 2024 due to similar concerns over the pitch. In the match against Angola, he was substituted in the 60th minute, with Zizo replacing him. The Egyptian team will also play a friendly match against South Africa on October 4, 2026, as part of their preparations. Under coach Hossam Hassan, Salah has played 24 matches, scoring 12 goals and providing 5 assists.
Coach Hossam Hassan has achieved 12 draws with the national team in 36 matches, with 19 wins and 5 losses. The team's management had agreed with Salah before the Angola match that he would not participate in the South Sudan match. This decision was made to prioritize his fitness and avoid potential risks. Egypt's next match against South Sudan will be played at Juba Stadium.
The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Salah received permission to miss the South Sudan match. According to Ibrahim Hassan, a member of the association, Salah was given the green light to skip the match. The association has also announced that a Algerian refereeing team will officiate the friendly match against South Africa.
In other news, the Egyptian team has been preparing for their upcoming matches, with a focus on building team chemistry and improving their performance. The team's management has been working closely with the players to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. Egypt's fans are eagerly anticipating the team's upcoming matches, hoping for a strong performance.
As the team prepares for their next matches, they will look to build on their recent performances and secure a positive result. With Salah's participation uncertain for the South Sudan match, the team will need to adapt and find a way to succeed without their star player. The Egyptian Football Association has expressed confidence in the team's abilities and is optimistic about their chances of success.
Key points
- Egypt's football association cites pitch concerns for Mohamed Salah's departure from national team camp.
