Egypt's national team is gearing up for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan on September 29. However, the team has been plagued by internal problems in recent days. The troubles began when head coach Hossam Hassan publicly criticized goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, which later escalated to star player Mohamed Salah leaving the national team camp. The Egyptian Youth and Sports Ministry has stepped in to resolve the disputes.
The Egyptian Minister of Sports, Jouhar Nabil, is actively working to settle the current crisis within the team. According to Ministry spokesman Mohamed El-Shazli, Nabil is in direct communication with key figures in Egyptian football, including Hany Abou Rida, head of the Egyptian Football Association, and the technical staff of the national team. The minister has urged all parties to remain calm and focus on the upcoming match against South Sudan.
The tensions within the team camp come after a goalless draw against Angola in Egypt's opening qualifier. The result placed Egypt second in Group B behind Malawi, who defeated South Sudan. Salah had started the Angola match but was substituted midway through the second half. The coaching staff attributed the change to "technical reasons," but Hassan later clarified that the decision was made to rest Salah due to concerns over the artificial pitch.
Hassan has emphasized that Salah's absence against South Sudan is not a conflict-driven issue, but rather a decision made to prioritize the player's well-being. He stressed that Salah is a key pillar of the squad and one of the best players in the world. The coach also underlined his respect for all players and his confidence in the rest of the team ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
Egypt's match against South Sudan is a crucial opportunity for the Pharaohs to secure their first win of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The team is entering the qualifiers alongside South Sudan, Angola, and Malawi. The Egyptian Football Association has announced that Salah will not travel with the squad to South Sudan for the second match of the AFCON qualifiers.
Minister Nabil will meet with all sides after the game to restore stability within the camp and continue discussions with Mohamed Salah to address his situation with the coaching staff. The minister's intervention aims to ensure a smooth continuation of the team's campaign in the qualifiers. Egypt's national team is seeking to bounce back from a disappointing start to the qualifiers.
The team's performance in the qualifiers has been inconsistent so far, with a goalless draw against Angola and a need to secure a win against South Sudan. The match against South Sudan is a key test for the team's cohesion and ability to overcome internal tensions. The outcome will likely have a significant impact on Egypt's chances of advancing in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Key points
- Egypt's Youth Minister is working to resolve internal disputes within the national team camp ahead of the AFCON qualifier against South Sudan.
- Mohamed Salah will not travel with the squad to South Sudan for the second match of the AFCON qualifiers due to concerns over the artificial pitch.
- Egypt's national team is seeking to secure their first win of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against South Sudan.
