The Pharaohs thrashed South Sudan without their captain. But between the federation’s official statement and Hossam Hassan’s post-match comments, Mohamed Salah’s absence remains shrouded in uncertainty.
On the pitch, Egypt did not need him. On Tuesday, 29 September in Juba, the Pharaohs beat South Sudan 5-0 on matchday two of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Behind the scenes, however, Mohamed Salah’s absence continues to fuel debate.
The official version: the pitch
A few days before the game, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) was clear. In a statement, it explained that the technical staff led by Hossam Hassan had decided to rest Salah because of the artificial surface at the stadium in Juba. It even specified that an agreement had been reached with the player before the match against Angola.
Hassan himself had tried to put out the fire before the game, insisting there was no problem with his captain and that the request to be excused had been made while Salah was in Turkey, where he now plays for Trabzonspor.
‘Personal reasons’
After the win in Juba, though, the tone changed. According to The National, the coach said Salah had been left out for « personal reasons » and refused to say whether the player had left the squad. Asked about his star’s importance, he said it was not right for a country of 120 million people to depend on a single player.
Those words are unlikely to quieten the speculation. The context was already tense: substituted in the 61st minute of the goalless draw with Angola, Salah then left the camp. Egyptian journalist Ahmed Abdel Basset reported tensions in the dressing room, describing a calm departure with no public fuss from the player. Hassan was also already under fire for his comments about the absence of goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
What next?
With four points from two games, Egypt top Group B. Salah’s return, however, is not guaranteed. No statement has confirmed whether the 34-year-old will rejoin the Pharaohs in the next international window. For now, only one thing is certain: this story is not over.