Egypt’s national team coach Hossam Hassan has opted to rest striker Mostafa Mohamed for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Mauritania in Nouakchott on Tuesday. This decision comes on the heels of Egypt’s 2-0 victory over Mauritania in Cairo on Friday, bringing the Pharaohs just one point away from qualifying for the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco.

A medical assessment revealed that Mohamed is dealing with a hamstring strain, prompting Hassan to prioritize the player’s recovery and prevent further injury. Consequently, the striker will not travel with the team to Mauritania and will focus on treatment and rest.

Currently, Egypt leads Group C with nine points after winning all three of their qualifying matches. A draw in Tuesday’s encounter would be sufficient for Egypt to secure their place in the 2025 AFCON finals.