The decision follows Egypt's 2-0 victory over Mauritania in Cairo on Friday, where Mo Salah scored the second goal, leaving the team just one point away from securing qualification for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.
Concerns over the artificial turf and the physical style of play by the Mauritanian side prompted Hassan to rest Salah.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed in an official statement that a meeting took place between the technical staff and Salah.
The decision aims to prioritize Salah’s health and minimize injury risks, especially with important Premier League fixtures ahead.
The EFA's statement read: “The technical staff of Egypt’s senior football team, led by manager Hossam Hassan, held a meeting with Mohamed Salah, the captain of the Pharaohs. It was agreed during the meeting to rest the player from the upcoming match.”
As a result, Salah will not travel with the team to Mauritania.
Instead, he will return to Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre to prepare for his club’s upcoming matches, including a high-profile Premier League clash against Chelsea next Sunday.
Currently, Egypt lead Group C with nine points, ahead of Mauritania, Cape Verde, and Botswana, who each have three points.
A draw in Tuesday’s match would be enough for Egypt to officially secure their spot in the 2025 AFCON finals.
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