Salah to miss Egypt game because of artificial pitch

What the report says

Egypt have left Mohamed Salah out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan because the match will be played on artificial turf, BBC Sport Football reports. The game is scheduled for Tuesday in Juba, and Salah has not travelled with the squad for the away fixture.

According to the Egyptian Football Association, coach Hossam Hassan and his staff decided to rest the forward to protect him. The federation said the plan had already been discussed with Salah before Egypt’s goalless draw against Angola in Cairo on Friday, a match in which he started and was substituted after about an hour.

BBC Sport noted that concerns are often raised about injury risk on artificial pitches, although research has not shown a higher risk overall. The article also places the decision in the context of Salah’s recent career moves: he left Liverpool at the end of last season after nine years and is now with Turkish club Trabzonspor.

The report adds that Salah has made a strong start in Turkey, with seven goals and two assists in six league appearances. The absence matters because Egypt are continuing their qualification campaign and Salah remains one of their most important players.