Egypt skipper Salah to miss Ethiopia clash, El-Shennawi ready
Egypt skipper Mohamed Salah is confirmed to miss Thursday’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia, meanwhile first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shennawi is ready for the game after recovering from coronavirus, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) revealed on Monday.
Late on Sunday, Egypt coach Ehab Galal revealed that the 29-year-old Liverpool star winger Salah had been struggling with an injury ahead of Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Guinea in the opening match of the qualifiers.
“The technical staff prefers to give Salah a rest in the Ethiopia game after medical scans revealed that he suffers from a minor muscular strain,” read a statement by the EFA.
Aston Villa’s key winger Mahmoud Trezeguet, 27, missed playing with the Pharaohs in the Guinea test after picking up a knock while warming up for the game and it is still doubtful he will be ready for the Ethiopia game due to the injury.
“Trezeguet is suffering from a muscular strain and his availability for Ethiopia match is yet to be determined,” the EFA statement added.
Egypt’s keeper Mohamed El-Shennawi, who also missed Guinea match, is likely to return to service for Thursday’s match.
The EFA declared that the 33-year old Ahly keeper tested negative for coronavirus and will rejoin the training sessions starting Monday.
After Thursday’s game, Egypt’s team will fly to Seoul to play a friendly against South Korea on 14 June.
