Hossam Hassan gives Mohamed Salah a break and welcomes Omar Marmoush’s return

Hossam Hassan, the Egypt national team coach, has granted Mohamed Salah’s request to rest during the upcoming match against Cape Verde in the Al Ain International Tournament.

After Egypt’s recent loss to Uzbekistan in the semifinals, this decision gives Salah, preparing for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, a well-timed pause.

This will be the seventh absence for Salah under Hassan’s watch. Injuries and club commitments have often forced him to miss Egypt’s matches, including qualifiers and friendlies. Notably, this will be his third time missing a Cape Verde clash due to either injury or other reasons.

Egypt is currently gearing up for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled from December to January. The squad has faced several injuries: both Zizo and Hamdi Fathi are out, and Saleh Mohsen is in recovery training. The team’s training also saw visits from football federation officials, boosting morale.

Coach Hassan addressed Egypt’s loss, highlighting how the absence of ten key players made things tough. He said despite these setbacks, the newcomers like Marwan Osman impressed, and the squad’s main focus remains building depth before continental challenges. The return of Omar Marmoush, who missed the Uzbekistan match, is a welcome boost to Egypt’s attacking power.