Egypt to return from South Sudan on Wednesday after airport closure

The Egypt national team will return to Cairo from South Sudan on Wednesday because the airport there closes at 18:00.

Egypt are due to play South Sudan in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 16:00.

The match is expected to finish at 17:00 South Sudan time, leaving the Egypt delegation unable to travel back on the same day before the airport closes.

Egypt and South Sudan have met only once previously. That match, a friendly in 2023, ended in a 3-0 victory for Egypt.

The two teams are in Group B of the qualifiers alongside Angola and Malawi.

Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Abdelmonem were left out of the Egypt squad because the match will be played on an artificial pitch.

Egypt began their qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium.

South Sudan, meanwhile, opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat by Malawi.