The Egyptian national team's technical staff, led by coach Hossam Hassan, has announced that Mohamed Salah will be rested for the upcoming match against South Sudan on September 29. This decision was made due to the condition of the pitch, which is made of tartan, a type of artificial turf. This is not the first time Salah has been rested due to pitch concerns, as he was also benched for matches against Mauritania and Cape Verde for the same reason.
According to reports from within the Egyptian national team's camp, Salah's absence will not be limited to just the South Sudan match. He is also expected to miss a friendly match against South Africa on October 4, despite the match being held at the Cairo International Stadium. The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that the friendly match will take place on October 4, as part of the team's preparation during the current international break.
The Egyptian national team is set to face South Sudan in the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The team is coming off a goalless draw against Angola in the opening match of the qualifiers, played at the Cairo International Stadium. The match against South Sudan will take place in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan, on September 29.
The match against South Sudan will kick off at 4 pm Cairo time, and will be broadcast live on beIN Sports, the official broadcaster of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Egyptian team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing draw against Angola, and a win against South Sudan would be crucial in their quest for qualification.
Salah's absence will be a significant blow to the Egyptian team, as he is one of their key players. However, the team's technical staff has decided to prioritize his well-being and avoid taking any risks with his fitness. This decision is seen as a precautionary measure, given the concerns over the tartan pitch and the importance of keeping Salah fit for future matches.
The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that the team will continue to prepare for the upcoming matches, with a focus on achieving positive results. The team's coach, Hossam Hassan, will be looking to make the most of the available players and come up with a strategy that will help the team overcome the challenges posed by South Sudan and South Africa.
In the absence of Salah, other players will have to step up and take on more responsibility. The team's performance against Angola was lackluster, and the coaching staff will be looking to make adjustments to the team's tactics and lineup in order to secure a win against South Sudan.
Key points
- Mohamed Salah will miss the upcoming matches against South Sudan and a friendly against South Africa due to concerns over the tartan pitch.
- The Egyptian national team's technical staff has prioritized Salah's well-being and decided to rest him for the upcoming matches.
- The team will face South Sudan in the second round of qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations on September 29.
