Egypt's national team manager, Ibrahim Hassan, confirmed that Mohamed Abdelmonem will not travel with the team to South Sudan for their upcoming match. This decision comes after medical warnings regarding the artificial turf pitch at the Juba stadium, where the match will be played. Abdelmonem recently underwent a procedure for a ligament injury, and medical staff advise against playing on such a surface.
The Egyptian national team is set to depart for South Sudan on Sunday, with the match scheduled for Tuesday. This is part of the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. In a separate development, the Egyptian Football Association announced that Mohamed Salah will also miss the match due to concerns over the pitch. The decision was made by the team's technical staff, led by coach Hossam Hassan.
The artificial turf pitch at the Juba stadium, also known as the "Tartan" surface, has raised concerns about player safety. This type of surface has been linked to muscle injuries, and the team's management is taking a cautious approach. Salah, who plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey, had previously discussed this issue with the coaching staff and agreed to miss the match.
Egypt's match against South Sudan is a crucial one, with both teams vying for a spot in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The two teams are in the same group, along with Angola, who drew 0-0 with Egypt in their previous match. The Juba stadium, where the match will be played, has undergone renovations and now has a capacity of 7,000 to 10,000 spectators.
The Egyptian team has been dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the match. In addition to Abdelmonem and Salah, other players have been struggling with fitness issues. The team's management is working to ensure that all players are fit and ready for the match, but the pitch concerns have added an extra layer of complexity to their preparations.
The Juba stadium has a long history, dating back to 1962. It was renovated and reopened in 2024, with funding from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The stadium's pitch has been upgraded, but the artificial turf surface remains a concern for visiting teams. Egypt's match against South Sudan is expected to be a closely contested one, with both teams eager to secure a win.
The outcome of the match will have significant implications for both teams' chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt, led by coach Hossam Hassan, will be looking to bounce back from their draw against Angola in their previous match. South Sudan, on the other hand, will be seeking to cause an upset and secure their first win in the qualifiers.
Key points
- Mohamed Abdelmonem to miss South Sudan match due to pitch concerns
- Mohamed Salah also to miss match due to pitch concerns
- Egypt seeking to bounce back from draw against Angola in previous match
