Hossam Hassan Explains Mohamed Salah Absence Against South Sudan

pEgypt head coach Hossam Hassan has confirmed that Mohamed Salah's absence from the match against South Sudan was agreed in advance because the fixture is being played on an artificial surface./ppThe clarification followed speculation after Egypt's goalless draw with Angola, a match in which Salah was substituted before leaving the national-team camp./ppHassan said the coaching staff are prioritising the captain's physical condition and stressed that the decision not to travel to South Sudan was not connected to any dispute inside the squad./ppEgypt are seeking their first victory in qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, whose finals will be staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania./p