In Cairo, Egypt’s opening draw with Angola has given way to an unwanted debate before the national side heads south to Juba. Mohamed Salah will miss Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against South Sudan, with coach Hossam Hassan insisting the decision was agreed to protect the forward from an artificial playing surface.
From Cairo draw to Juba absence
- Egypt began Group B on Friday with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Angola in Cairo.
- Salah, who joined Trabzonspor this summer after nine highly successful years at Liverpool, was taken off midway through the second half.
- He left the Egypt camp the following day, increasing discussion around his status before the trip to South Sudan.
- The Egyptian Football Association said Salah would not travel for the Juba fixture because it will be played on synthetic turf.
- Hassan had described Salah’s substitution against Angola as a technical choice, a comment that fuelled further questions given the player’s recent form for Trabzonspor.
Local discussion has focused on the possibility of friction within the squad, particularly after Hassan’s remarks about experienced players. Before the Angola match, he spoke about 37-year-old goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, who was left out of the current squad.
“There was a point when he was finished and not playing for his club, but he regained his level through the Egypt team,” Hassan said of El Shenawy. “It was not only him; there were other players too.”
Hassan stresses Salah’s place
Before departing for the South Sudanese capital, Hassan sought to cool the speculation and underlined Salah’s importance to Egypt’s plans.
“I respect every player, especially Mohamed Salah,” the coach said. “He is important and influential, one of the team’s main pillars, a great player and a vital member of the group. He is also among the best footballers in the world.”
Hassan said the arrangement over Salah’s absence had been made before the Angola game, after the player raised concerns about the surface awaiting Egypt in Juba.
“We chose to rest Salah because of the artificial pitch,” Hassan explained. “He spoke to me about it before the Angola match and we reached an agreement.”
The coach added that Egypt need the forward for the qualifiers ahead, saying player welfare remains his highest priority and that he retains full faith in the rest of his squad.
