A source within the Egyptian national team's technical staff revealed the circumstances behind Mohamed Abdelmonem, the French club Nice defender, leaving the Egypt national team camp and not continuing until the friendly match against South Africa.
The Egyptian national team is preparing to face the South African national team in a friendly match next Sunday, marking the conclusion of the Pharaohs' camp.
Circumstances surrounding Abdelmonem's departure from the Egyptian national team camp
A source told Yallakora in exclusive statements: "Mohamed Abdelmonem refused to travel to Sudan and participate in the match against South Sudan in the second round of the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations."
The source clarified: "The technical staff was surprised by an official letter from the French club Nice requesting that Abdelmonem not participate in matches played on artificial turf, especially since he is returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury."
He continued: "There is dissatisfaction among the technical staff led by Hossam Hassan regarding Abdelmonem's behavior and his insistence on not participating in the match on artificial turf."
The source concluded: "The technical staff decided not to include Abdelmonem in the match against South Africa as well, and coordination was made with the player regarding this matter."
Nice Club Statement
The French club Nice announced the departure of its player Mohamed Abdelmonem from the Egyptian national football team camp during the current international break, in order to maintain his fitness.
Nice said in a statement via its official website: "By mutual agreement with the Egyptian national team's technical staff, Mohamed Abdelmonem left the national team camp to preserve his fitness and physical safety."
It explained: "This decision came through joint coordination, given the conditions under which the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier would have been played, particularly playing on an artificial pitch, and out of both parties' desire not to risk the player's health."
It added: "Nice Club makes every effort to ensure that Mohamed - like all its international players - joins their national teams and represents them under the best possible conditions, paying special attention to their health, recovery processes, and physical safety."
It continued: "The club would like to thank the Egyptian national team's technical staff for good communication, understanding, and the efforts made with Mohamed during the camp period."
It concluded: "Mohamed will now continue working with 'Nice' club in preparation for upcoming commitments under the best conditions."
