Egypt Rest Salah for South Sudan AFCON Qualifier Over Artificial Pitch

Egypt have rested Mohamed Salah for their September 29 AFCON qualifier against South Sudan due to concerns over Juba Stadium's artificial pitch. The decision was agreed in advance with Salah and coach Hossam Hassan, though the reasoning has drawn scrutiny given scientific studies show no evidence of higher injury risk on artificial turf and Salah's expected participation in European matches on similar surfaces.

Quick Facts

Egypt rested Salah from AFCON qualifier
Decision made to protect player from artificial pitch injury risk
Salah started against Angola and was substituted after 61 minutes
Agreement reached before Angola match that Salah would not play South Sudan
Mohamed Salah

Egypt's Football Association confirmed that Mohamed Salah will not participate in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan on September 29, citing concerns over the artificial pitch at Juba Stadium. The decision was made in consultation with Salah and coach Hossam Hassan before Egypt's opening qualifier against Angola on September 26, which ended in a 0–0 draw. Salah started that match but was substituted after 61 minutes.

The EFA stated that the technical staff decided to rest Salah "to protect the player" from potential injury risks associated with artificial turf. Salah, 34, recently joined Turkish club Trabzonspor from Liverpool after nine seasons, during which he made 442 appearances and scored 257 goals. He has performed strongly for Trabzonspor this season, recording seven goals and two assists in six Super Lig matches.

The decision follows a similar precaution in October 2024, when Salah was rested for Egypt's qualifier against Mauritania on an artificial pitch in Nouakchott. However, the reasoning has drawn scrutiny from some observers. While there is a widespread perception of increased injury risk on artificial surfaces, scientific studies have found no evidence of greater injury risk compared to natural grass. Additionally, Salah has played dozens of matches on artificial turf throughout his career at various European clubs without documented surface-related injuries.

The decision also raises questions about consistency, as Salah is expected to play on artificial pitches during Trabzonspor's Europa Conference League campaign this season—notably against Finland's KuPS, which plays at the artificial turf Väre Arena. UEFA approves artificial pitches for competition, and professional football regularly accommodates such surfaces across multiple competitions.

Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, are competing in Group B alongside Angola, South Sudan, and Malawi. The 2027 AFCON will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania with 24 teams competing. Salah has scored 68 goals for Egypt and is one short of matching coach Hassan's all-time national record of 69 goals. He is expected to feature in Egypt's friendly against South Africa on October 4.

Topics

Sports

#injury risk #Africa Cup of Nations 2027 #Egypt national team #South Sudan #Hossam Hassan #AFCON qualifier #Trabzonspor #artificial pitch #Mohamed Salah

Entities

Why This Matters

The decision to rest a 34-year-old player competing for a national record (68 goals, one short of coach Hassan's 69) creates uncertainty over Egypt's attacking capacity in a competitive AFCON qualifier group. The reasoning—precaution against artificial turf injury—conflicts with documented evidence (scientific studies show no elevated injury risk) and Salah's own scheduled exposure to artificial pitches in Trabzonspor's UEFA Europa Conference League matches this season, raising questions about consistency in injury management protocols and the competitive credibility of surface-based rotation decisions in international football.

Timeline & Sources

Sep 26, 2026

Wire

Egypt draw 0–0 with Angola; Salah substituted after 61 minutes

Sep 29, 2026

Wire

Egypt vs South Sudan AFCON qualifier in Juba (without Salah)

Oct 4, 2026

Wire

Egypt vs South Africa friendly (Salah expected to feature)