Egypt’s camp has shifted from Angola to the prospect of Juba, but Mohamed Salah will not make the journey for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan after leaving the national-team squad.
From Angola stalemate to Juba absence
- Egypt were held to a goalless draw by Angola in their latest AFCON qualifying match.
- Hossam Hassan removed Salah in the 60th minute. The Egypt coach subsequently said the change was made solely for footballing reasons.
- The Egyptian Football Association then confirmed that Salah would miss Tuesday’s second fixture away to South Sudan.
- The federation cited the artificial surface at Juba’s stadium, arguing that playing on it could expose Egypt’s leading player to injury.
Questions around the Egypt camp
The decision has nevertheless prompted discussion in Egyptian football circles after the Angola result. Some journalists have suggested that Salah’s early departure is connected to an uneasy atmosphere within the squad rather than only concern over the synthetic pitch.
Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Basset wrote on X that, following significant tension in the dressing room, Salah was leaving the camp calmly and had chosen not to become involved in any crisis.
For Egypt, the trip to South Sudan now comes without the former Liverpool forward, with the federation maintaining that protecting him from the Juba artificial turf is the reason for his absence.
