Mohamed Salah left Egypt’s national team camp after the goalless draw with Angola because he wanted to travel to England to check on his newborn son, while also requesting to miss the trip to South Sudan, according to the team’s technical staff.
The Trabzonspor forward started Egypt’s opening match in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last Friday but was replaced in the 62nd minute.
His substitution led to reports of a possible disagreement between Salah and Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, particularly after the captain subsequently left the national team’s camp the following day.
However, Ibrahim Hassan, the director of the Egyptian national team, said there was no dispute between the player and the coaching staff.
Journalist Ahmed Shobeir quoted Ibrahim Hassan as explaining that Salah had originally asked to miss Egypt’s friendly against South Africa, scheduled for next Wednesday.
“Salah initially requested not to participate in the friendly match against South Africa, which will be held next Wednesday, and the Pharaohs’ coaching staff agreed to this. He wanted to travel to England to check on his newborn son, ‘Lil,’ and the coaching staff understood the captain’s request and welcomed the matter.”
Salah was also excused from Egypt’s second-round match against South Sudan, which took place on Tuesday evening and ended in a 5-0 victory for the Pharaohs.
According to Ibrahim Hassan, Salah’s request to miss the South Sudan trip was made after he learned that players would receive vaccinations against malaria and Ebola.
The match was also due to be played on an artificial turf pitch, another factor in Salah’s decision to remain away from the trip.
He added: “Salah also requested to be excused from the trip to South Sudan after learning that there were vaccinations against malaria and Ebola, in addition to the match being held on an artificial turf pitch, and Hossam Hassan also agreed in appreciation of the team captain.”
No dispute between Salah and Hossam Hassan
The Egyptian national team’s director also rejected suggestions that tensions had developed between Salah and Hossam Hassan following the Angola match.
Shobeir quoted Ibrahim Hassan as saying the relationship between the captain and the coaching staff remained normal, despite the reports circulating after Salah’s substitution.
“There are absolutely no disputes with the Pharaohs’ captain, and everything said in this context is just rumors. On the contrary, we appreciate Salah’s value and are proud to have him with us.”
Hossam Hassan had explained to Salah why he was taken off against Angola, according to Ibrahim Hassan.
The Egypt coach told the player that he had felt Salah was unsuccessful with some of his attempts during the match.
Ibrahim Hassan said it was understandable that Salah would be disappointed at being substituted, but insisted that the incident did not lead to a breakdown in their relationship.
“Hossam explained to Salah the reason for substituting him early in the Angola match, that he felt he was not successful with some balls. It is natural for Salah to be sad about being substituted, but the relationship between him and Hossam is normal, and they shook hands normally after the match, and there is no problem between them.”
Egypt subsequently recorded a 5-0 victory over South Sudan without Salah, while the national team’s technical staff maintained that his absence was agreed with the player and was not the result of a dispute.
The explanation from Ibrahim Hassan therefore presents Salah’s early departure from the camp as the result of personal and logistical considerations, rather than a disagreement with Hossam Hassan.
