Egypt and South Sudan camps trade statements ahead of AFCON qualifier in Juba

Egypt faces South Sudan on Tuesday in Juba in the second round of 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with both camps previewing the match.

• Egypt drew 0-0 with Angola in the opening round at Cairo Stadium on Friday.
• Egypt's FA rested Mohamed Salah for the match because of the artificial turf pitch in Juba.
• Delegation head Khaled El-Darndely said camp morale is high and EFA president Hani Abou Rida expressed full confidence in the squad.
• South Sudan coach Christian Nsengi Bimbi said his team will fight for a positive result, calling Salah's absence significant.
• Mohamed Salah unexpectedly left Egypt's national team camp days before the South Sudan qualifier.
• Former Egypt player Reza Abdel-Aal said Salah's departure may have been a protest over his early substitution against Angola.
• Abdel-Aal said Egypt called up Osama Faisal as Salah's replacement in the squad.
• Egypt midfielder Marwan Attia returns from suspension for Tuesday's qualifier against South Sudan in Juba.
• Mohamed Abdel-Moneim also joins Mohamed Salah among Egypt's absentees over the Juba artificial turf pitch.
• South Sudan lost their opening AFCON qualifier 2-1 to Malawi.
• Midfielder Marwan Attia returns from a two-match suspension for the South Sudan qualifier in Juba.
• Mohamed Abdelmonem is also absent from the squad, alongside Salah, because of the artificial turf pitch.