Egypt rest Salah for South Sudan qualifier due to artificial pitch
Egypt have left Mohamed Salah out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the match will be played on artificial turf, the Egyptian Football Association said.
Egypt have omitted Mohamed Salah from their squad for Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan in Juba because the match will be played on artificial turf. The Egyptian Football Association said the decision was made to protect the forward from the playing surface, which is widely perceived to carry a higher injury risk despite studies showing no greater risk of injury on artificial pitches.
The EFA stated that the national team's technical staff, led by Hossam Hassan, agreed with Salah before Friday's goalless draw with Angola in Cairo that he would not feature in South Sudan. Salah started that match but was substituted after an hour. He has not travelled with the squad to the capital Juba.
Salah, 34, left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years in which he made 442 appearances and scored 257 goals, winning nine major trophies. He now plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor and has started his Super Lig career strongly, with seven goals and two assists in six league games.
The decision to rest Salah is likely to prompt discussion among supporters, some of whom may question the caution given the importance of the qualifier. Others will see it as sensible player management, especially with the forward's importance to Egypt's wider campaign. The EFA framed the move as a protective measure agreed in advance.
Egypt's focus will now be on securing a result in Juba without their most prominent player. The match is scheduled for 29 September.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
