Egypt Weighs Salah Involvement Ahead of AFCON 2025 Amid Club Commitments
As Egypt intensifies its preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, national team manager Ibrahim Hassan has provided an update on the participation of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush ahead of a crucial pre-tournament friendly against Nigeria.
Egypt’s Balancing Act Between Club and Country
The Pharaohs are set to face Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo International Stadium — a fixture viewed as the final test before AFCON begins on 21 December. Yet uncertainty lingers over whether Salah and Marmoush will be available.
Speaking to winwin, Ibrahim Hassan revealed that discussions remain ongoing with Liverpool and Manchester City to determine the players’ status for the friendly. “We are still in contact with Liverpool and Manchester City at the moment regarding this matter,” he confirmed.
Both clubs have Premier League fixtures scheduled for the same weekend — Liverpool against Brighton and Manchester City versus Crystal Palace — and are understandably reluctant to release key players early. The Egyptian duo are integral to their respective clubs’ plans during a congested winter schedule, placing Egypt’s coaching staff in a delicate position.
Salah’s Fitness and Form Ahead of Tournament
Salah recently featured in Egypt’s disappointing 2–0 defeat to Uzbekistan in an international friendly, before being rested for the subsequent match against Cape Verde. The Liverpool forward remains central to Egypt’s AFCON hopes, with his leadership and consistency crucial to their ambitions of a record-extending eighth continental title.
While no injury concerns have been reported, Egypt’s technical staff appear cautious about overextending the forward ahead of the tournament. Managing his workload is seen as essential, given the intensity of both Premier League and international commitments during December.
AFCON Preparations Intensify Under Hossam Hassan
Egypt’s coaching team, led by Hossam Hassan, have been evaluating tactical options and squad depth through a series of friendlies. Despite the setback against Uzbekistan, the focus remains firmly on refining the balance between attack and defence. Injuries and player availability have been the main obstacles, with key performers like Marmoush missing matches due to club duties and fitness management.
The Egyptian FA is reportedly maintaining close communication with both Liverpool and Manchester City to ensure the transition between club and country runs smoothly. Both teams are expected to release their players shortly before the start of the competition, aligning with FIFA’s official release period for international tournaments.
Pharaohs Set for Group B Challenge
Egypt will compete in Group B of AFCON 2025 alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe. Their campaign begins against Zimbabwe on 22 December in Agadir, Morocco. With Salah’s influence extending far beyond goals, his presence could prove decisive in guiding Egypt through a challenging group.
For Ibrahim Hassan and his technical team, the upcoming Nigeria clash represents more than just a friendly — it’s a critical assessment of readiness before Africa’s biggest footballing stage. Whether Salah takes part may depend as much on Premier League scheduling as on Egypt’s own ambitions.
