Egyptian star Mohamed Salah to miss South Sudan clash over artificial pitch

Egypt will leave Trabzonspor player Mohamed Salah out of its away match against South Sudan on Sept. 29 because the game will be played on an artificial surface, the Egyptian Football Association announced.

The federation said the national team's coaching staff had decided to rest Salah to protect the player from the potential demands of playing on synthetic turf rather than natural grass.

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"The national team's technical staff has decided to rest Mohamed Salah for the South Sudan match on Sept. 29 because the surface at the stadium where the match will be played is artificial turf," the federation said.

Trabzonspor's Mohamed Salah (10) warms up before the Turkish Süper Lig match against Amed Sportif Faaliyetler, Aug. 31, 2026. (AA Photo)

Egypt opts to protect Salah ahead of South Sudan fixture

The federation added that the decision was taken specifically with the player's protection in mind, meaning Salah will sit out the upcoming qualifier despite remaining part of Egypt's campaign.

Egypt will travel to face South Sudan on Tuesday, Sept. 29, after drawing 0-0 with Angola in its previous Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.

September 26, 2026 01:45 PM GMT+03:00