Mohamed Salah joined up with the Egypt national team on Tuesday, ahead of the double header against Malawi in CAN qualifying. The new head coach, Ali Maher, inherits the Trabzonspor forward, according to SuperSport.
Mohamed Salah linked up with the Egypt national team on Tuesday, SuperSport reports, after missing the Pharaohs’ last two international fixtures, against Sudan and South Africa. The 34-year-old forward rejoins a squad that shares first place in Group B with Angola, on four points apiece, ahead of third-placed Malawi on three points.
The return comes amid a change in the dugout. Hossam Hassan, the former head coach sacked last week, has been replaced by Ali Maher, 52, a former Al Ahly player and Ceramica Cleopatra coach. According to SuperSport, Salah’s absence followed supposed tensions with his former head coach.
A forward in form with Trabzonspor
Salah does not arrive with the national team short of match rhythm. Having left Liverpool at the end of last season for Trabzonspor, he scored at the weekend in the 2-0 win at Alanyaspor, according to SuperSport. That goal comes just days before his return to the Pharaohs, having last worn the national shirt in the 0-0 draw against Angola in Cairo on the opening matchday of qualifying.
His last international match therefore dates back to that meeting with Angola, with Egypt and Angola level on four points at the top of Group B. Malawi, third on three points, complete the standings.
Ali Maher backs his captain
The new head coach made no secret of his enthusiasm. “We have one of the best groups of players in the history of Egyptian football, led by Mohamed Salah, whom I consider the best player in Egypt’s history and a role model for players and fans,” said Ali Maher, quoted by SuperSport.
At 52, the coach who played for Al Ahly and is currently in charge at Ceramica Cleopatra takes the reins of a national team co-leading its group. His appointment comes in place of Hossam Hassan, sacked last week. Salah’s return is part of that change.
Tensions between Salah and Hossam Hassan remain a matter of supposition: SuperSport mentions them without establishing them, and neither man comments on the matter in the available material.
Two fixtures against Malawi
Egypt host Malawi on Friday 13 November in Cairo, before travelling to Blantyre on Tuesday 17 November for the return match, according to SuperSport.
Salah, 34, is expected for these two CAN qualifiers, which will be his first matches with the Pharaohs since the draw against Angola.