Egypt are preparing to call up National Bank striker Osama Faisal as they work on their plans for the absence of captain Mohamed Salah against South Sudan in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Coach Hossam Hassan has begun adjusting his squad ahead of Tuesday evening’s second-round qualifier, with Salah unavailable for the match, which will be played on an artificial turf pitch.
Salah left the Egypt camp on Saturday after reaching an agreement with the national team’s coaching staff. According to an official statement, the Trabzonspor forward had asked to be excused from the South Sudan match because of concerns over playing on an artificial surface and the possibility of injury.
With Salah no longer available for the fixture, the Egypt coaching staff have started considering alternatives for the attack.
Sources told WinWin that the national team’s administrative staff contacted Osama Faisal by telephone in the past few hours and asked the striker to prepare to travel with the squad to South Sudan on Sunday.
The sources added that the Egyptian national team had not yet sent an official letter to National Bank requesting Faisal’s release.
That communication was expected to take place in the coming hours, ahead of the player’s potential addition to the Egypt squad for the qualifier.
Faisal has previously been selected by Hassan on several occasions since the coach took charge of the national team. However, the 25-year-old has not featured prominently in the coach’s recent plans for the Pharaohs.
His latest form at club level has now brought him back into consideration.
Faisal has scored twice for National Bank in the Egyptian league this season and has impressed with his performances for the club.
The striker has also represented Egypt 16 times at international level. Despite those appearances, he has yet to score his first goal for the national team.
His possible inclusion would give Hassan another attacking option as Egypt prepare to face South Sudan without their captain.
The Pharaohs began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola. They will now travel for their second match of the qualifying campaign, with Hassan expected to make adjustments following Salah’s departure.
The decision to approach Faisal comes after Salah’s request to miss the South Sudan fixture was accepted by the coaching staff.
Egypt’s official explanation for Salah’s absence is linked to the artificial playing surface, with the national team saying the decision was agreed with the player.
Faisal could now be brought into the squad as Egypt look to maintain their attacking options for Tuesday’s match.
The National Bank striker’s previous experience with the national team and his two league goals this season have placed him among the players being considered as Hassan prepares his side for the next qualifier.
