Mohamed Salah given permission to miss Egypt’s South Sudan qualifier

Mohamed Salah had been granted permission in advance not to play for Egypt against South Sudan because of the artificial-turf pitch, national team director Ibrahim Hassan has said.

Salah left Egypt’s training camp after the decision was agreed between him and the coaching staff before the team’s opening match against Angola. The technical staff preferred to rest the Liverpool forward to protect him from the playing surface in Juba.

“Mohamed Salah received permission some time ago not to play against South Sudan because of the artificial turf,” Ibrahim Hassan told FilGoal.com. “This had happened before in the previous qualifiers against Mauritania.”

The Egyptian Football Association had earlier confirmed that Salah’s departure from the camp was linked to the surface at Juba Stadium, which it described as “tartan”. The decision was made by Egypt manager Hossam Hassan.

A source from the Egypt camp had previously told FilGoal.com: “Mohamed Salah left the camp this morning.”

Salah was substituted in the 60th minute of Egypt’s goalless draw with Angola in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, with Zizo replacing him.

The Pharaohs are scheduled to face South Sudan in Juba in the second round of qualifying on 29 September, which falls next Tuesday.

Salah also missed Egypt’s match against Mauritania in 2024 for the same reason.

Malawi currently lead Group B after beating South Sudan 2-1. Egypt’s next fixture after the qualifier will be a friendly against South Africa on 4 October, at the end of the current international break.

Salah has played 24 matches for Egypt under Hossam Hassan, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists.

Hossam Hassan’s draw with Angola was his 12th as Egypt manager in 36 matches. He has also recorded 19 victories and five defeats during his tenure.