Mohamed Salah. (Photo: EFA)
The Liverpool star winger Salah was available in last week’s 2-1 victory over Burkian Faso in the World Cup qualifiers before scoring a wonderful goal in the 70th minute, securing a 1-1 draw for Egypt against Guinea Bissau on Monday.
Both games of the African qualifiers were the first two official matches under the leadership of the Pharaohs’ new technical staff headed by coach Hossam Hassan and his twin Ibrahim Hassan.
Some social media reports have recently suggested that the 31-year-old Salah refused to be substituted by his coach Hossam during the Guinea Bissau game, but Ibrahim shrugged off all these claims.
“Salah picked a strong knock and Hossam was thinking of doing a substitution at the same time, and so he asked the player firstly if he wants to go out but he said he is ok,” Ibrahim explained to MBC Masr TV channel.
“I am astonished why these rumors and false news come out, like what happened in Salah’s incident. When there is something negative, I will be the first one to unveil it," he added.
“The morale of all players is excellent and Salah’s mentality is wonderful. He is a respectable person and we consider him as one of the staff members because of his vision, experience, and close knowledge of the current group of players,” the former Egypt star said.
Despite Monday’s draw, Egypt remain at the top of Group A with 10 points, trailing second-placed Guinea Bissau by four points.
Burkina Faso, in third place with four points, will host Sierra Leone later on Monday.
The Pharaohs will resume their World Cup qualifying campaign in March.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
Short link: