The Egyptian Football Association has decided to rest star forward Mohamed Salah for the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan, citing concerns about the artificial turf at the venue.
The decision follows reports that the pitch in South Sudan is a synthetic surface, which is known to increase the risk of injury for players accustomed to natural grass.
Salah, who has been a key figure in Egypt’s recent successes, will be omitted from the squad to protect his long‑term fitness and avoid potential injury.
The team will field a different striker for the match, while the rest of the squad remains unchanged. The decision reflects the federation’s priority on player welfare ahead of the important qualifier.
The match is part of Egypt’s campaign to secure a place in the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>