Egypt have suffered a setback ahead of their pre-AFCON friendly against the Super Eagles, with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah ruled out of the glamour fixture in Cairo on December 14.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Salah will not depart for the Africa Cup of Nations until December 15, a day after the Pharaohs' friendly with the Super Eagles. 

The two-time African Footballer of the Year will be available for selection when Liverpool face Inter Milan on December 9 in the UEFA Champions League and Brighton & Hove Albion on December 13 in the Premier League, but he will not feature against Tottenham Hotspur on December 20.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had hoped to include Salah in the friendly against Nigeria and referred the matter to Hany Abu Rida, who subsequently contacted Liverpool.

Addressing reporters in the pre-match press conference before his side's Premier League meeting with Sunderland, Slot told reporters: "It’s the 15th of December, but as always in these situations there is a player involved, there is the nation involved - Egypt in this situation - and the club and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.

"I think the way we’ve worked at this club - and I have worked in the past - is there is communication between all three: the player, the club and the country.

"That's nothing new, it's always the same. Also, when they come back, when they go. I think FIFA have said the 15th is the last date I assume a player has to be released.”

 Egypt have been drawn alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe for the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel