Egypt face South Sudan without Salah amid Barcelona's artificial-turf concern

Egypt play South Sudan in the second round of 2027 AFCON qualifying, with Mohamed Salah absent and Barcelona concerned about Hamza Abdelkrim's fitness.

• Egypt face South Sudan on Tuesday at 4pm Cairo time in the second round of 2027 AFCON qualifying.
• Egypt opened qualifying with a 0-0 draw against Angola at Cairo International Stadium.
• Mohamed Salah will miss the match, reportedly unwilling to play on the artificial turf.
• Sport reported Barcelona's concern that Hamza Abdelkrim could suffer muscle injuries on the artificial surface.
• Egypt took the lead against South Sudan through Mostafa Ziko in the 36th minute.
• In the second half, Omar Marmoush added Egypt's second goal just after the break.
• Egypt completed a 5-0 victory over South Sudan to move top of Group 2 with four points from two matches.
• Omar Marmoush scored twice, ending a 186-day international goal drought with goals in the 49th and 83rd minutes.
• Hamza Abdelkrim scored his first international goal in the 91st minute, becoming the third-youngest scorer in Egypt's history.
• Hamza Abdelkrim scored his first official goal for the Egypt national team in the match.
• Hossam Hassan said Mohamed Salah missed the match for personal reasons, contradicting the federation's earlier artificial-turf explanation.
• Ahmed Fotouh left the match with a thigh bruise in the 53rd minute and was replaced by Karim Hafez.