Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah Over Artificial Pitch Injury Risks
Juba, 26 September 2026
Egypt will rest captain Mohamed Salah for Tuesday’s match against South Sudan to protect the Trabzonspor forward from potential injury on Juba Stadium’s artificial turf.
Precautionary Measures for a Global Star
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officially confirmed on Saturday, 26 September 2026, that the national team’s technical staff, under the leadership of manager Hossam Hassan, has decided to rest the 34-year-old captain for the upcoming qualifier in Juba [1][3][4]. The agreement was proactively reached between Salah and the coaching staff prior to Egypt’s opening Group B fixture against Angola on Friday, 25 September 2026, which ended in a 0-0 draw in Cairo [3][4]. During that match, Salah played for an hour before being substituted midway through the second half [1][3][4]. Explaining the decision to sit out the next match, Salah stated, “I will not risk playing on an artificial pitch, it is a risk to my career” [4].
The Debate Over Artificial Turf
The decision highlights ongoing debates regarding the safety of modern playing surfaces. Juba Stadium features an artificial turf pitch, which many sports scientists and players believe presents a higher risk of joint and muscle injuries than natural grass [3]. While some published medical studies suggest there is no concrete evidence of a greater injury risk on artificial surfaces [1], the physical toll and altered ball dynamics remain a significant concern for elite players [3][GPT]. For Salah, who recently transitioned to Turkish Süper Lig club Trabzonspor after an illustrious nine-year career at Liverpool, maintaining peak physical condition is essential as he continues his prolific form, having already scored multiple goals for his new club this season [1][3][4].
A Golden Opportunity for Juba’s Bright Stars
Salah’s absence is being viewed as a massive competitive boost for South Sudan’s national team, affectionately known as the Bright Stars [2][5]. Competing in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers, South Sudan faces a formidable challenge alongside Egypt, Malawi, and Angola [2][3]. The Bright Stars, who opened their qualifying campaign away to Malawi on Friday, 25 September 2026, are highly motivated to secure a historic result on their home turf on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 [2][5]. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at Juba Stadium, the South Sudanese players will look to leverage their familiarity with the artificial surface to disrupt the seven-time African champions [2][3][GPT].
Uniting Communities and Inspiring Hope
Beyond the tactical dynamics on the pitch, this high-profile fixture has ignited immense excitement among the South Sudanese diaspora, including those residing in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee camps [GPT]. Football has long served as a powerful unifying force for the nation, and the prospect of hosting one of Africa’s most successful footballing giants is a source of profound pride [2][3][GPT]. Although Egypt is the most successful side in AFCON history, they have not won the tournament since 2010 [3]. Furthermore, Salah’s pursuit of international history will be temporarily paused; he currently has 68 goals for Egypt, leaving him just 1 goal behind his coach Hossam Hassan’s all-time national record of 69 goals [3]. For the people of South Sudan, Tuesday’s match represents a celebration of local talent, international cooperation, and a step closer to their dream of qualifying for the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 finals, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania [2][3].