Egyptian national team defender Mohamed Abdel Monem has left the team's camp, citing concerns over playing on artificial turf in an upcoming match against South Sudan. According to Hani Hathout, an Egyptian sports commentator, Abdel Monem's decision was made in consultation with his club, Nice in France, which expressed concerns over the potential risks of playing on artificial turf given Abdel Monem's recent return from an injury.
Abdel Monem had recently recovered from a serious knee injury that kept him sidelined for nearly a year. His club, Nice, reportedly sent a letter to the Egyptian Football Association expressing concerns that playing on artificial turf could exacerbate the injury. The Egyptian team's coaching staff, led by head coach Hossam Hassan, initially considered keeping Abdel Monem in the camp but ultimately decided to allow him to leave.
The decision to leave Abdel Monem out of the match against South Sudan was reportedly made due to concerns over the artificial turf at the match venue. This was also a reason for Mohamed Salah's recent departure from the team's camp. Hathout stated that Abdel Monem's departure was a joint decision made by the player, his club, and the team's management.
Hathout revealed that Abdel Monem had a heated discussion with the team's coaching staff over his departure. The player reportedly questioned the need to stay in the camp if he wouldn't be playing in the match, stating "I'm not going to play, so why should I be here?" The discussion reportedly became tense, with the coaching staff warning Abdel Monem that his departure could impact his future with the national team.
Despite the initial disagreement, the Egyptian Football Association ultimately agreed to allow Abdel Monem to leave the camp. Hathout stated that Abdel Monem will rejoin the team on September 30 in preparation for a match against South Africa. The player's departure was seen as a precautionary measure to ensure his safety and prevent further injury.
Abdel Monem's injury history has made his club and the national team cautious about his playing schedule. His recent return to the pitch has been carefully managed to prevent re-injury. The artificial turf at the match venue against South Sudan was deemed too great a risk for Abdel Monem, who will now focus on his recovery and preparation for future matches.
The Egyptian national team will face South Sudan in a crucial match, with the team looking to secure a positive result. The team's coaching staff will have to make do without Abdel Monem, who will rejoin the team in time for the match against South Africa. The incident highlights the challenges faced by national teams in managing player injuries and club commitments.
Key points
- Mohamed Abdel Monem leaves Egyptian national team camp due to concerns over playing on artificial turf.
