Salah to miss Egypt’s friendly against Bafana Bafana

Mohamed Salah will not play in Egypt’s friendly against South Africa after agreeing with the national team’s technical staff to rest during the international break.

Egypt are due to host Bafana Bafana at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, but captain Salah has already left the Pharaohs’ camp and will not return for the match.

The decision was reportedly reached between Salah and head coach Hossam Hassan before Egypt’s opening AFCON 2027 qualifier against Angola.

The original plan was for the Trabzonspor forward to miss Egypt’s next fixture against South Sudan, which was played on an artificial-turf surface.

The Egyptian Football Association confirmed that Salah was rested for that match because of the playing conditions. Egyptian reports also cited concerns about the physical strain involved and the potential risk of injury.

Hassan had initially indicated that the 34-year-old would be available to face South Africa. However, the latest reports confirm that Salah has now been excused from both of Egypt’s fixtures during the break.

His absence will come as relief to Bafana Bafana, who will avoid facing one of Egypt’s key attacking players in Sunday’s meeting in Cairo.