Mohamed Salah will not get any minutes against South Sudan, sitting out both the starting XI and the bench. The Egypt Football Association published an official statement explaining the decision: Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan decided to rest Salah specifically because of Juba Stadium's artificial pitch. The technical staff and Salah had agreed before the Angola match that he would not play in this fixture.
Egypt enters the match third in Group B with one point after a 0-0 draw with Angola in the first qualifier. The team needs to pick up points to improve their position. South Sudan sits fourth in the group with zero points following a 2-1 loss to Malawi in their opening match.
Salah is not injured, according to the EFA statement. The decision prioritizes protecting the player from the demands of artificial turf rather than any physical condition. The match takes place at Juba Stadium on September 29.