Salah left out of Egypt trip to South Sudan over artificial pitch
Egypt have rested Mohamed Salah for Tuesday's AFCON qualifier in Juba because it will be played on artificial turf.
Mohamed Salah will play no part in Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan on Tuesday after the Pharaohs decided not to risk their captain on an artificial pitch in Juba.
A plan made before Angola
The 34-year-old has not travelled with the squad to the South Sudanese capital for the game on 29 September. The Egyptian Football Association said the call was made by head coach Hossam Hassan and his staff because of the playing surface.
Crucially, it was not a last-minute decision. The federation said the arrangement had been agreed with Salah himself before Friday’s qualifier against Angola, with the staff choosing that route “in order to protect the player”.
Salah started that match in Cairo, but Egypt were held to a goalless draw and Hassan took him off after around an hour. It was Egypt’s first competitive outing since their summer World Cup run ended in the last 16.
The artificial turf question
Plenty of players and coaches remain wary of synthetic pitches, believing they raise the risk of injury and take a heavier toll on the body, especially for older players. Modern surfaces have improved a lot, and studies have not produced clear evidence that injuries are more likely on them. Even so, Egypt have clearly decided that the safer option is to keep their most important player away from Juba.
It leaves Hassan needing a win without his talisman. After dropping points at home to Angola, Egypt cannot afford another slip in the group.
More on DSN: Ghana part ways with Carlos Queiroz after poor AFCON qualifying start and Julian Ward returns as Liverpool sporting director after Hughes exit.
Our sister site DGBN has also covered Egypt’s decision to leave Salah out of the South Sudan trip.
Still firing in Turkey
Salah’s form at club level shows why Egypt are so protective. Since leaving Liverpool in the summer after nine years, 442 appearances, 257 goals and nine major trophies, he has hit the ground running at Trabzonspor with seven goals and two assists in his first six Turkish Super Lig games.
It also means their star signing gets a few extra days of rest before club football resumes after the international break.
| Next game | South Sudan v Egypt, Tuesday 29 September (Juba) |
| Last result | Egypt 0-0 Angola (Cairo) |
| Salah’s club form | 7 goals, 2 assists in 6 Super Lig games |
| Liverpool record | 442 games, 257 goals, 9 major trophies |
For more from this week’s AFCON qualifiers, read our preview of South Africa v Guinea in Soweto.
