Mohamed Salah’s availability for Egypt’s upcoming friendly against Bafana Bafana has become a talking point after the Pharaohs confirmed that their captain will be rested for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.
The Egyptian Football Association said the decision was made because the match in Juba will be played on an artificial turf surface.
Salah rested against South Sudan
Egypt will face South Sudan on 29 September, but Salah will not feature in the qualifier.
According to the Egyptian Football Association, head coach Hossam Hassan’s technical staff agreed to rest the forward because of the playing surface at Juba Stadium. The decision was reportedly discussed with Salah before Egypt’s opening qualifier against Angola.
Salah started Egypt’s 0-0 draw against Angola on 25 September but was substituted during the second half.
The decision to leave him out against South Sudan is therefore being treated as a precaution to protect the experienced forward from the potential physical demands of an artificial pitch.
Could Salah return against Bafana?
The timing of the decision has naturally raised questions among South African supporters.
Bafana Bafana are scheduled to face Egypt in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October, just five days after Egypt’s qualifier against South Sudan. The match is scheduled for 20:00 South Africa time.
However, there has been no confirmation yet that Salah will definitely play against South Africa.
His omission from the South Sudan fixture was specifically linked by the EFA to the playing surface, rather than a confirmed injury. That leaves the door open for his return, but his eventual involvement against Bafana will depend on the Egyptian technical team’s selection and the player’s condition.
For Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana, the potential presence of one of Africa’s biggest football stars would add another major dimension to the Cairo friendly.
The big question now is simple: will Salah be back in Egypt’s lineup when Bafana Bafana arrive in Cairo?
