Mohamed Salah, captain of the Egypt national team and Turkish club Trabzonspor, is set to leave the Pharaohs' camp before the squad travels to Juba to face South Sudan in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The decision came shortly after Salah featured in Egypt's goalless draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium. He was substituted after around 60 minutes, with head coach Hossam Hassan later explaining that the change was made for tactical reasons and was not related to an injury.

Once reports emerged that Salah would leave the camp, questions quickly appeared about whether there was a disagreement between the captain and the coaching staff, especially after his early substitution against Angola.

Other reports also tried to connect his departure with recent issues surrounding the national team camp.

However, information coming from inside the camp points to a different reason, mainly connected to the surface of the stadium that will host the South Sudan match.

Agreed in Advance

According to the reports, Salah's absence against South Sudan was not a sudden decision. It had already been discussed between the player and Egypt's coaching staff, led by Hossam Hassan.

Both sides agreed that Salah would not take part because the match will be played on an artificial surface, with concerns over the physical demands and possible injury risks that can come with playing on this type of pitch.

One report also stated that Salah remained with the national team camp after the Angola match and was expected to leave before the squad travelled to South Sudan.

That version of events suggests his departure was not an immediate reaction to being substituted against Angola.

The same source denied any dispute between Salah and Hossam Hassan and also rejected suggestions that his departure was connected to the recent controversy involving Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

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Other reports, however, spoke about frustration inside the camp and suggested possible tension between Salah and the coaching staff.

These claims do not match the sources stating that the decision not to travel had already been arranged because of the artificial pitch.

Based on the available reports, the main explanation remains that Salah's absence is part of a planned physical and technical decision rather than a sudden exit caused by a disagreement after the Angola game.

Artificial Pitch Concern

Salah's caution over artificial pitches is not new. He has previously missed matches played on similar surfaces amid concerns about the physical strain and possible injury risks.

For that reason, Egypt's coaching staff appears to have decided against taking an unnecessary risk with one of the team's most important players during a busy season.

Egypt will face South Sudan in Juba on September 29 in the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Pharaohs began their qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium and will now be looking for a better result in their second match.

The game will be played at Juba Stadium. The venue was originally established in 1962 before undergoing redevelopment and reopening in 2024. Reports put its capacity at between 7,000 and 10,000 spectators.

Salah's absence will force Hossam Hassan to consider other attacking options, but it also protects the Egypt captain from playing on a surface the coaching staff believes could present an unnecessary physical risk.

Salah's planned departure naturally attracted attention because it came only hours after he was substituted against Angola. However, the information currently available indicates that the decision was mainly linked to the artificial pitch and was coordinated between the player and the coaching staff, while there is no confirmed evidence so far of a personal dispute between the two sides.