Barcelona concerned over Hamza Abdelkarim playing on South Sudan’s artificial pitch

Barcelona are concerned about Hamza Abdelkarim featuring for Egypt against South Sudan in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers because of the condition of the match venue.

Egypt are scheduled to face South Sudan in the second round of qualifying on Tuesday at 16:00.

According to Sport, Barcelona have reservations about Abdelkarim taking part because the stadium surface is in poor condition. The pitch is made of worn artificial turf, a factor that led Egypt captain Mohamed Salah to apologise for being unavailable for the match.

Sport expects Abdelkarim to have an important role against South Sudan, particularly with Salah absent. The report did not give further details about Barcelona’s concerns beyond the state of the playing surface.

Salah and Mohamed Abdelmonem have both been left out of Egypt’s squad because they will not play on the artificial pitch.

Egypt began their qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium. South Sudan, meanwhile, lost their opening match 2-1 to Malawi.

Egypt and South Sudan have met only once previously. That encounter was a friendly in 2023, when Egypt won 3-0.

Egypt are in Group B of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competition alongside Angola, Malawi and South Sudan.