Mido questions Mohamed Abdelmonem’s Egypt exclusion ahead of South Africa friendly

Former Egypt international Ahmed Hossam Mido has questioned the decision to exclude Nice defender Mohamed Abdelmonem from the Pharaohs’ upcoming friendly against South Africa.

Egypt are scheduled to face Bafana Bafana on Sunday at Cairo International Stadium as part of their ongoing international camp.

Abdelmonem’s situation has attracted attention after he was initially rested for Egypt’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because he was unable to play on artificial turf.

Nice subsequently confirmed that the defender left the Egypt camp by mutual agreement with the national team’s technical staff, citing the need to maintain his fitness and physical well-being amid concerns over playing on an artificial surface.

The decision has now prompted Mido to publicly question the circumstances surrounding Abdelmonem’s continued absence.

Writing on his social media account, Mido said: “Mohamed Abdel Moneim is the best Egyptian defender currently playing in a very strong league.”

He then called for clarity over the situation, adding: “There must be an explanation of his position if he is excluded, and why he did not take the same action with Mohamed Salah? If the reason is his and his club’s refusal to play on artificial turf!”

Mido also raised a broader question about the relationship between the Egypt national team and its players based abroad.

“The most important question is, if there is a problem between the coach and a large number of players, is the reason the coach or the players? And do we help our professional players or do we kill them?”

Abdelmonem’s absence comes as Egypt prepare for their final fixture of the international window against South Africa, with the friendly providing another opportunity for head coach Hossam Hassan to assess his squad.

The Nice defender, who has been recovering from a serious knee injury, will therefore miss the meeting with Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana as questions continue to surround his departure from the national team camp.