Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan has explained Liverpool star Mohamed Salah’s absence from the national team’s March training camp, stating that both Salah and his club requested his exclusion to prioritize his recovery from a recent injury.
“Salah’s omission from the squad was at his and his club’s request, prioritizing his recovery and training with Liverpool,”
Hossam Hassan stated during a Sunday press briefing. The national team coach mentioned that the Egyptian Football Association received the joint request to exclude Salah from the March camp.
“Salah is a vital asset to the national team, significantly boosting the Pharaohs’ strength when present in the squad,” Hossam Hassan emphasized. “We had anticipated his participation.”
While recognizing Salah’s significance, he asserted, “We can’t compel a player to join the squad.”
“We’re committed to ensuring his full recovery from the injury isn’t compromised,” he concluded.
Jurgen Klopp on Salah’s fitness & Egypt call-up
Salah’s injury against Ghana
Following a hamstring injury sustained during a group-stage clash against Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Salah’s playing time has been restricted. He recently made a fleeting 46-minute substitute appearance in Liverpool’s Europa League fixture.
However, he marked his return in style during their dominant 5-1 away triumph against Sparta Prague in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 last week, featuring for the final 16 minutes of the game. This outing served as confirmation of his successful recovery from the muscle injury that had previously kept him out of action for several matches.
Watch the Full Preconference
Egypt Joining a Friendly Tournament in the UAE
The Pharaohs are preparing to participate in a friendly tournament in the UAE, scheduled from March 22nd to 26th.
Joining Egypt in the tournament are Tunisia, Croatia, and New Zealand.
Egypt’s inaugural match will be against New Zealand on March 22nd. The winner of this match will advance to face the victor between Tunisia and Croatia.
According to Ibrahim Hassan, the director of the Egypt national team football, “The foreign-based players will arrive on March 17th, while the domestic squad will join on March 13th, and we will fly to the UAE on March 18th.”
At 57 years old, Hossam Hassan is taking the helm of the Pharaohs for the first time, following his appointment subsequent to the dismissal of Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria in February.
Egypt 25-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Mostafa Shobier (Ahly), Mohamed Awaad (Zamalek), Mohamed Abou Gabal (NBE), El-Mahdi Soliman (Ittihad of Alexandria)
Defenders: Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Akram Tawfik, Ramy Rabia (Ahly), Mohamed Hamdi (Pyramids FC), Ahmed ‘Beckham’ Ramadan, Mohamed Shokri (Ceramica Cleopatra), Ahmed Hegazy (Ittihad Jeddah – Saudi Arabia).
Midfielders: Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mohamed Afsha Magdy, Ahmed Nabi Koka (Ahly), Hamdi Fathi (Al-Wakrah SC – Qatar).
Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed (FC Nantes – France), Omar Marmoush (Eintracht Frankfurt – Germany), Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan (Trabzonspor), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids FC), Mohamed Sherif (Khaleej FC), Hussein El-Shahat (Ahly), Ahmed Atef (Future FC), Mohamed El-Shami (Ismaily).
