Liverpool FC confirmed on Saturday that Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will not play in next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.
Liverpool said that the 32-year-old has “been released early from international duty due to the current October break”.
He scored for Egypt on Friday in a friendly match against Mauritania that Egypt won 2- 0 He was expected to grace the second friendly match between the two teams on Tuesday.
Egypt manager Hossam Hassan had said in Cairo on Friday that there were fears over playing on Mauritania artificial surface and injuries.
African’s seven time record holders Egypt was tested to the limit by Mauritania before Tunisian born, Mahmoud Hassan ‘Trezeguet’ opened the flooding goal post 69 minutes into the Group C match.
More goals from prolific Liverpool scorer Salah made the result consummately beyond doubt with a second goal, ten minutes later, thus keeping up with the perfect record of the pharaohs’ post three rounds.
Egypt only require one point in the next match as they are six points clear of their closest challengers Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania.
Liverpool also revealed that Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk has been also released from international duty, to return early.
Van Dijk was released for the Netherlands’ game after incurring two yellow cards in a 1-1 UEFA Nations League qualifier against Hungary.
‘Both will not feature again for their countries this month following the early release from internationals for the two.’
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