Mohamed Abdelmonem has left the Egypt squad during the international break, days after Mohamed Salah also departed the camp, with reports of growing tension between the defender and the national team staff.
OGC Nice announced on Thursday that Abdelmonem had withdrawn by mutual agreement with Egypt’s coaching staff, citing concerns over his fitness and physical wellbeing. The Egyptian Football Association had not issued an explanation at the time of publication.
The decision comes before Egypt’s friendly against South Africa on Sunday. Abdelmonem was included in the squad for the latest camp but did not feature in the goalless draw with Angola in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying and did not travel to South Sudan for the next match.
The South Sudan fixture is being played on an artificial-turf pitch, with concerns that playing on that surface could risk injury. The same issue was given as the reason for Salah’s departure from the camp after he was substituted during the second half against Angola.
In a statement, OGC Nice said: “By mutual agreement with the Egypt national team staff, Mohamed Abdelmonem has left the national team camp to preserve his fitness and physical integrity.”
The club added: “This decision was taken jointly, given the circumstances in which the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match was being played, particularly on an artificial-turf pitch, and the shared desire not to take risks with the player’s health.”
OGC Nice said it was working to ensure Abdelmonem, along with its other international players, could represent their countries in the best possible conditions.
The statement concluded: “The club would like to thank the Egypt national team staff for their mutual agreement and understanding. Mohamed will now continue working with OGC Nice to prepare in the best conditions for the challenges ahead.”
The fact that OGC Nice, rather than the Egyptian Football Association, announced Abdelmonem’s departure has drawn attention. No clarification had been issued by the Egyptian governing body when the report was published.
Former Egypt goalkeeper and broadcaster Ahmed Shobair said Abdelmonem would also miss the South Africa match and claimed there was significant disagreement between the player and the team’s technical and administrative staff.
“Mohamed Abdelmonem will also not be present for the South Africa match on Sunday. Quite clearly, there is a major dispute between Mohamed Abdelmonem and the technical and administrative staff,” Shobair said in radio comments.
“I hope the issue is resolved quickly between the national team staff and Abdelmonem rather than escalating considerably. They are angry with him, and they have the right to be,” he added.
Shobair said the coaching staff’s frustration stemmed from Abdelmonem’s refusal to play against South Sudan, followed by a letter from OGC Nice requesting that he be left out of the match. His eventual departure from the camp came after discussions between the club and the Egypt staff.
