Mohamed Abdelmonem has been ruled out of Egypt’s trip to South Sudan for the second round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The OGC Nice central defender joins Mohamed Salah on the list of absentees, with the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirming that Abdelmonem will not travel for the away fixture.
The decision followed a medical report submitted by his club. Abdelmonem, who recently returned from a serious cruciate ligament injury, has been strongly advised against playing on an artificial surface.
The EFA and Egypt’s medical staff opted not to take any risks with the defender’s fitness, prioritising his longer-term recovery. His absence leaves manager’s options further reduced ahead of an important qualifying match.
Egypt must now adjust their plans in both attack and defence. Without their star from Trabzonspor and their defensive leader, the Pharaons will face South Sudan with a reshaped central-defensive partnership.
That new pairing will be tested on a surface regarded as particularly demanding, adding to the challenges facing Egypt in their second qualifying fixture.