Egypt coach Hassan looking to calm Salah tensions ahead of South Sudan qualifier

[p]The issue ‌has dominated discussions around the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/egypt/bejDn7NN/"]Egypt[/a] camp since ‌the seven-times African champions were held to a 0-0 draw ‌by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/angola/rTRqsooo/"]Angola[/a] in their Group B opener, when ‌[a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/salah-mohamed/08FBycgB/"]Salah[/a] was substituted midway through the second half before leaving camp the next day.[/p][p]Speculation intensified after Hassan said the substitution was ‌made for "technical reasons", despite Salah's strong form ⁠since joining Turkish ‌side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/trabzonspor/MmsYDc03/"]Trabzonspor[/a] from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a].[/p][p]Local reports also linked the controversy to some ​of Hassan's previous comments about senior players, including goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/el-shenawy-mohamed/ALaFz9J4/"]Mohamed El Shenawy[/a] who he said "at one ​point was finished", prompting questions about the mood inside the squad.[/p][p]However, Hassan struck a conciliatory tone ahead of ⁠the trip to ​Juba, underlining Salah's importance to Egypt's plans.[/p][embed guid="e4188c13-1f8e-4fa3-b72e-21556eec8b90" url="https://x.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/2103849663556166017" social-type="twitter" /][p]"[b]I respect all the players, especially Mohamed Salah. He is an important and influential player, one of the team's key pillars, a ‌great player and a vital member of the team, as well as one of the best players in the world[/b]," he told reporters.[/p][p]The coach said 34-year-old Salah's absence against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-sudan/bBswuetq/"]South Sudan[/a] had been agreed between them before the Angola match because of concerns over the artificial playing surface.[/p][p]"[b]We decided to rest Salah because of the artificial pitch. He had discussed the matter with ‌me before the Angola match, and we agreed on ​it[/b]," Hassan said.[/p][p]"[b]We need Salah in the upcoming ‌matches. The well-being of every player is my top priority, and I have great confidence in all the players[/b]," he added.[/p][p]Egypt are seeking their first victory of the qualifying campaign as they bid to ⁠reach the 2027 Africa ⁠Cup of Nations finals ‌in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.[/p]