Egypt to Rest Star Mohamed Salah in South Sudan AFCON Qualifier Due to Injury Risks

Mohamed Salah will not travel with Egypt’s squad to South Sudan for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The decision was announced by the Egyptian Football Association on Saturday, citing concerns over the match being played on artificial turf.

Record seven-time AFCON champions Egypt recently played a goalless draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium in their opening qualifier. Mohamed Salah, who joined Turkiye’s Trabzonspor from Liverpool last month, started the match against Angola but was substituted by coach Hossam Hassan midway through the second half.

The EFA explained on social media that the technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan, decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the September 29 fixture against South Sudan to protect the player from potential injuries associated with artificial surfaces at Juba Stadium. The arrangement was mutually agreed upon prior to the Angola fixture.

Mohamed Salah currently has 68 international goals for Egypt, leaving him just one goal away from tying coach and ex-player Hassan’s all-time record of 69 for The Pharaohs. Egypt is competing in Group B of the AFCON qualifiers alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi, as they seek their first continental title since 2010.