Egypt draws with Angola, rests Salah ahead of South Sudan qualifier

Egypt opened its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Angola and will play South Sudan in Juba on Tuesday.

• Egypt drew 0-0 with Angola at Cairo Stadium in the first round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday.
• Malawi's 2-1 win over South Sudan left Egypt third in Group 2 ahead of its away match in Juba on September 29.
• The Egyptian Football Association announced Mohamed Salah will be rested for the South Sudan match due to the artificial tartan pitch.
• Egypt slipped to 24th in the FIFA rankings with 1590.02 points, while Angola rose three places to 84th after the draw.
• Egypt's delegation will travel to South Sudan on Sunday ahead of its Tuesday Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Juba.
• Egypt's final training session Sunday will be on an artificial tartan pitch at Air Defense Stadium to replicate Juba's surface.
• Manager Ibrahim Hassan said the team's trip to South Sudan is expected to take over five hours.
• The training session is scheduled for 9:30 AM Cairo time on Sunday, September 27th.