AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Mohamed Salah to miss Egypt’s clash with South Sudan over artificial pitch concerns

Mohamed Salah will miss Egypt’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan after the Egyptian Football Association confirmed he has been rested because of concerns over the artificial playing surface.

In a statement, the Egyptian FA said the decision had been agreed before Friday’s goalless draw with Angola, with the coaching staff opting to protect the captain from playing on synthetic turf.

Salah started against Angola at Cairo International Stadium but was replaced in the 61st minute by coach Hossam Hassan.

After that match, Hassan dismissed suggestions that the substitution was injury-related, insisting it was a purely tactical decision.

The latest announcement follows speculation over Salah’s departure from Egypt’s training camp after a source within the federation said the forward had informed FA president Hany Abo Rida that he would leave the camp after the Angola match.

The federation’s statement has now clarified that the arrangement had already been agreed between Salah and the coaching staff before the opening qualifier, with the decision made as a precaution ahead of Egypt’s trip to face South Sudan.

Egypt opened their qualifying campaign with a 0-0 draw against Angola and will now be without their captain as they seek their first win of the campaign in the second round of the qualifiers.