Hossam Hassan says Mohamed Salah was substituted for tactical reasons in Egypt’s draw with Angola

Egypt manager Hossam Hassan says Mohamed Salah was taken off for tactical reasons and was not injured during the Pharaohs’ goalless draw with Angola in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Salah, Egypt’s captain, was replaced after an hour of Friday’s opening Group B match, prompting speculation that the Liverpool forward may have suffered an injury. Egypt were held 0-0 by their visitors, dropping two points at the start of their qualifying campaign.

Asked at his post-match news conference why he had substituted Salah, Hassan said: “Salah’s substitution was due to a technical decision based on the requirements and course of the match. The player is not injured.”

Hassan’s comments about Salah came after he had criticised Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy during the news conference before the match.

The manager said: “At one point, Mohamed El Shenawy was finished and was not playing for his club. Nevertheless, he regained his level through the Egypt national team – and he is not the only one, there are other players as well.”

The remarks about El Shenawy were made before the goalkeeper started against Angola, while the decision to remove Salah during the match became the main talking point after Egypt failed to secure victory.

Egypt are in Group B alongside Angola, Malawi and South Sudan. Their next qualifier will take them away to face South Sudan on Tuesday.

Before the current international break ends, the Pharaohs will also play a friendly against South Africa. That match is scheduled for Sunday, 4 October at Cairo Stadium.