The Egyptian national team will head into the upcoming November international break without several high-profile players, including Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, as the coaching staff prioritizes giving new talent a chance. With Egypt having already secured qualification for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the team sees this break as an opportunity to broaden its squad depth.
In addition to Salah and Marmoush, Egypt will also be without Mostafa Mohamed and Mohamed Abdelmonem for the two scheduled matches against Cape Verde and Botswana, which mark the fifth and sixth rounds of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
With qualification secured, head coach Hossam Hassan has chosen to rest these regular starters, allowing emerging players to take center stage and demonstrate their abilities at the international level.
This decision reflects the team’s current position and confidence. Since Hassan’s appointment as head coach, the Egyptian national team has enjoyed a resurgence in form, consistently delivering strong performances.
Under his guidance, Egypt has secured six consecutive victories, including wins over Cape Verde, Botswana, and two decisive wins against Mauritania, reaffirming the team’s status as a formidable force in African football.
For Egypt, this approach serves as a strategic move to maintain the health and readiness of its top stars, who are in high demand at both club and national levels.
Liverpool’s Salah, who remains integral to the Premier League side’s ongoing campaigns, has been notably influential for the national team but will benefit from the break as Egypt shifts focus toward developing depth across the squad.
Similarly, Wolfsburg’s Marmoush, who has shown consistent form, will be spared from the rigorous travel and match schedule, as will Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed and Al Ahly’s defensive mainstay Mohamed Abdelmonem.
Egypt’s upcoming fixtures against Cape Verde and Botswana, while not crucial for qualification, remain essential for shaping the team’s squad dynamics and evaluating new potential.
Hassan’s focus on integrating fresh talent offers the Pharaohs a unique opportunity to build cohesion ahead of AFCON 2025, which is anticipated to feature a competitive field.
As Egypt embarks on this journey, the decision to rest key figures like Salah and Marmoush reflects a long-term approach to ensuring both the stamina of star players and the resilience of the broader squad.
With Egypt’s track record and recent victories fueling optimism, the November international break marks a pivotal moment in the national team’s preparations for the next AFCON.
بعد صلاح .. 3 محترفين جدد يغيبون عن منتخب مصر في المعسكر القادم pic.twitter.com/B98MWeWEau
— Ahmed Shobier (@ShobierOfficial) October 31, 2024
