Salah offered not to play against Mauritania on artificial turf

Record seven-time African champions Egypt faced stubborn resistance from Mauritania in Cairo until Mahmoud 'Trezeguet' Hassan netted 69 minutes into the Group C clash.

Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah put the outcome beyond doubt with a second goal 10 minutes later to maintain the perfect record of the Pharaohs after three rounds. The Egyptians will now have to face Mauritania again but this time in their stadium, which has artificial turf.

"If any player asks me not to play on artificial turf, I will agree. The Mauritanian team plays hard and with violent interventions, and their field is not the best. If Salah specifically asks me to do so, I will agree," coach Hossam Hassan told reporters.

Runaway leaders Egypt have nine points, leaving Cape Verde, Botswana and Mauritania - all with three - battling to claim the second qualifying place for the 2025 finals in Morocco.