Mohamed Salah to miss Egypt's Sudan clash on turf

Egypt will be without Mohamed Salah for Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifier against South Sudan in Juba, with the decision taken to limit his exposure to the capital’s synthetic playing surface. The Egyptian Football Association said the forward’s rest had been agreed with the national-team staff before the squad gathered.

The absence comes after Egypt opened Group B with a frustrating result at home. The Pharaohs drew 0-0 with Angola on Friday, leaving them with one point and in provisional second place. Salah started that match but was substituted after about an hour, and he will now miss the trip to Juba rather than feature in the second qualifying game.

Egypt’s decision is a precaution centred on the surface rather than a reported injury to Salah. Mohamed Abdelmonem will also be unavailable against South Sudan after a previous anterior cruciate ligament operation, with his French club urging caution over a return on synthetic turf. The setbacks leave Egypt needing a response after their quiet start, while their next qualifying assignment comes in November following a friendly against South Africa on 4 October.