Egypt boss refuses to rely on Salah ahead of Bafana clash
by Lukhanyo Mtuta · KickOffEgypt head coach Hossam Hassan has stated that his side cannot depend on Mohamed Salah ahead of their next match against Bafana Bafana.
Hassan recently made headlines after making some fiery comments about his national team players and the level of the Egyptian Premier League.
It was reported that Hassan's recent outburst caused some tension between the coach and a few players, including Salah.
Read: Benni issues an Eritrea warning to Bafana
Notably, Salah was absent during Egypt's emphatic 5-0 win over South Sudan on Tuesday in the second match of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Egypt's next game will be on Sunday in an international friendly against Bafana.
Speaking after the win over South Sudan, Hassan made it clear that his team should not depend on the Trabzonspor talisman.
“Mohamed Salah is a very important player in world football at any time, but he was absent due to personal circumstances,” Hassan said, according to Ahram Online.
“That is why I say the entire national team was going through difficult circumstances in the Angola match. Things would have been different if we had had a longer preparation period and had avoided injuries.
“I am not making excuses or offering justifications because the national team may be affected, but it does not depend on any one player. All the players are important. At the same time, it is not right for a country of 120 million people for the national team to depend on one player.
“It is my responsibility to work with the committed players who are available to build a strong core for the national team.
“I try to choose my words carefully when I speak because my intentions are good, but I am often misunderstood."
Read: Egypt coach takes aim at Ahly, Zamalek, Mokwena's Pyramids, and co.
By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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