Mohamed Salah “not in service” for eSwatini return match

Egypt star winger Mohamed Salah will miss the national team’s next game against eSwatini in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to injury.

Egypt’s coach Javier Aguirre blamed the poor quality of the pitch for causing injuries to several players during his side’s 4-1 victory over eSwatini on Friday in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

“The pitch of el-Salam stadium is very poor. It does not help the players to perform normally,” the Mexican coach told a press conference after the game.

Team star Mohamed Salah was stretched off the game with a muscle strain. Also Amro Tarek was forced off the field after 56 minutes because of a muscle injury which will keep him out of Egypt’s next game against eSwatini on Tuesday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFn4jsOx-ow

The return match will be played in eSwatini on Tuesday.

“Aguirre decided to allow Salah to return back to Liverpool to give him extra rest, as medical scans revealed that getting him ready for Tuesday’s match would be difficult,” read a statement by EFA.

Midfielder Mohamed Elneny and left back Amro Tarek also suffered muscular problems during Friday’s victory, but they still have a chance to be fit for the return leg, according to the statement.

After Friday’s 4-1 win, Egypt are co-leaders of Group J alongside Tunisia with 6 points each.