Egypt arrive in Juba without Mohamed Salah for South Sudan qualifier

Egypt have arrived in Juba ahead of Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying match against South Sudan, with captain Mohamed Salah set to miss the Group B fixture.

The Pharaohs reached the capital of South Sudan on Sunday after being held to a goalless draw by Angola in Cairo on Friday. The result left Egypt searching for their first victory of the qualifying campaign when they face South Sudan at Juba Stadium.

South Sudan also opened their campaign with a defeat, losing 2-1 to Malawi. Malawi lead Group B after the first round of matches, with Egypt and South Sudan both looking for their first points.

Salah will not feature on Tuesday after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) agreed to rest the forward because the game will be played on an artificial surface.

The EFA said the decision had been reached by mutual agreement between Salah and the coaching staff before the match against Angola. It was intended to protect the player from the physical demands associated with playing on synthetic turf.

The federation also stressed that Salah’s absence was not connected to Egypt’s result against Angola or to his individual performance. He started that match before being substituted in the second half.

Former South Sudan international James Joseph said Salah’s absence should not significantly reduce Egypt’s threat.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in Juba on Sunday, Joseph said Egypt had other high-quality players capable of making the difference. He also urged South Sudan’s squad not to be distracted by the Egyptian media coverage surrounding the match and to remain focused on the contest itself.

Joseph acknowledged the challenge facing South Sudan against a team that has won the Africa Cup of Nations seven times. Although he said the heat could influence the game, he warned that South Sudan could not rely solely on the weather against an Egypt side with considerable technical ability.

He said South Sudan had a 50% chance of qualifying and encouraged the players to use the fixture as an opportunity to showcase their talent.

Egypt, South Sudan, Angola and Malawi make up Group B. The top two teams will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The match will take place at Juba Stadium on Tuesday, 29 September.