Egypt's Mohamed Salah will sit out Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan due to the match being contested on artificial turf. The decision, made by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan and his technical staff, sees the 34-year-old star absent from the squad entirely for the fixture in Juba. Salah, who now plies his trade with Turkish Super Lig outfit Trabzonspor following his departure from Liverpool, started Friday's scoreless encounter with Angola in Cairo but was withdrawn after 60 minutes—a move that foreshadowed his omission for the upcoming clash.
The Egyptian Football Association formally announced that protecting the veteran forward's fitness was paramount in excluding him from the South Sudan encounter. "The Egypt national team's technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan, has decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the match against South Sudan scheduled for 29 September because of the playing surface," the EFA stated. The organization clarified that this arrangement had been mutually agreed upon before the Angola fixture, indicating a strategic approach to managing the midfielder's workload. The preference for such precautionary measures reflects ongoing concerns within football circles about injury risks associated with artificial playing surfaces, though scientific studies have produced inconclusive findings on the matter.
Salah's star power and prolific form make his absence significant for Egypt's campaign. The winger's recent transfer to Trabzonspor marked the end of an illustrious nine-year tenure at Liverpool, during which he amassed 442 appearances and 257 goals while claiming nine major trophies. His impact at his new club has been immediate, with seven goals and two assists across six Turkish Super Lig matches this season—demonstrating his continued quality at the highest level of competition.
Friday's goalless draw with Angola represented Egypt's first competitive outing since their run to the World Cup's last 16 during the summer tournament. The decision to rest Salah underscores how even elite nations prioritize player welfare during demanding international schedules, balancing squad rotation with the desire to field their strongest lineups when circumstances permit.