Nice confirm Mohamed Abdelmonem’s departure from Egypt camp by mutual agreement

Nice have confirmed that Mohamed Abdelmonem has left Egypt’s training camp after an agreement with the national team’s coaching staff, with both sides concerned about the defender’s fitness and safety.

Abdelmonem was not included in the Egypt squad travelling to face South Sudan after undergoing anterior cruciate ligament surgery previously. Medical advice from Nice warned against playing on an artificial surface, according to a report provided by the French club.

Egypt national team director Ibrahim Hassan had earlier said Abdelmonem would not join the group travelling for the match because of those medical concerns.

Nice said the decision to release the player from the camp had been taken jointly and thanked Egypt for its cooperation and understanding.

“By mutual agreement with the Egypt national team’s coaching staff, Mohamed Abdelmonem has left the camp to protect his fitness and physical safety,” Nice said in a statement.

“This decision was made through joint co-ordination because of the conditions in which the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match was due to be played, particularly the use of an artificial pitch. Both parties wanted to avoid any risk that could affect the player’s health.”

The club added: “Nice makes every effort to ensure that Abdelmonem, like all of its international players, can join and represent their national teams in the best possible conditions, while paying particular attention to their health, recovery programmes and physical safety.”

Nice also thanked Egypt’s coaching staff “for their good communication, understanding and the efforts made with Abdelmonem during the period of the camp”.

“Abdelmonem will now continue his work with Nice in preparation for the upcoming commitments in the best possible conditions,” the club said.

Egypt began their Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola before recording a 5-0 victory over South Sudan.

They are scheduled to play a friendly against South Africa on 4 October, in the final match of the current international break.

Abdelmonem did not feature in Egypt’s opening qualifying match against Angola.