**Egypt to Rest Mohamed Salah for AFCON Qualifier Against South Sudan Due to Turf Concerns**
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has announced that star forward Mohamed Salah will not be part of the squad traveling to South Sudan for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The decision comes in light of concerns regarding the artificial turf at Juba Stadium, where the match is scheduled to take place on September 29.
Salah, who recently transferred from Liverpool to Turkiye’s Trabzonspor, participated in Egypt's opening qualifier against Angola on September 26. The match, held at Cairo International Stadium, ended in a goalless draw. Salah started the game but was substituted in the second half by head coach Hossam Hassan.
The EFA stated that the decision to rest Salah was made collaboratively between the technical staff and the player himself prior to the match against Angola. "The technical staff preferred this approach in order to protect the player," the EFA communicated via social media. This precautionary measure reflects a growing awareness of the potential risks associated with playing on artificial surfaces, which are known to increase the likelihood of injuries compared to natural grass.
Salah, who has scored 68 goals for the Egyptian national team, is just one goal shy of equaling the all-time record of 69 goals held by coach Hossam Hassan. His absence in the upcoming match against South Sudan is seen as a strategic move to ensure his fitness for future games, particularly given the high stakes of the AFCON qualifiers.
Egypt is currently competing in Group B of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. The 2027 AFCON tournament is set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, featuring 24 teams from across the continent. Despite being the most successful team in AFCON history, with seven titles, Egypt has not claimed the championship since 2010, making their qualification and performance in this tournament critical.
As the national team prepares for the match against South Sudan, the absence of Salah will undoubtedly be felt. However, the decision to rest him highlights a focus on long-term player health and performance, particularly as Egypt aims to reclaim its status as a dominant force in African football.