Mahmoud Hassan "Trezeguet" has been ruled out of Egypt's upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after sustaining a hamstring tear while playing for Saudi club Al-Riyadh. The injury, confirmed by medical examinations, will sideline the experienced winger for approximately four weeks, forcing him to miss the critical fixtures against Angola and South Sudan in late September.
Trezeguet picked up the injury during Al-Riyadh's Saudi Roshn League match against Al-Khaleej on Monday, departing the pitch in tears during the 13th minute. The club announced the setback via social media on Wednesday, confirming the severity of the muscular damage. The former Aston Villa player will return to Cairo to undergo rehabilitation under Egypt's medical team rather than continue treatment in the Kingdom.
Impact on Egypt's Qualifying Campaign
The absence represents a significant blow to manager Hossam Hassan's Egypt squad as they navigate their 2027 AFCON qualifying journey. Trezeguet's international pedigree and attacking prowess make him a crucial component of Egypt's offensive arsenal. The timing compounds the difficulty, with two consecutive away fixtures demanding depth across the forward line.
Egypt hosts Angola on Friday, September 25 at Cairo Stadium before traveling to face South Sudan on Tuesday, September 29 in Juba. The qualifying campaign offers no room for maneuver, and losing one of the Pharaohs' most experienced attacking options forces Hassan to rethink his tactical approach for these encounters.
Trezeguet's rehabilitation timeline suggests he could potentially return for Egypt's next qualifying fixture after these matches, though the exact recovery schedule will depend on how his hamstring responds to treatment over the coming weeks. The winger's absence underscores the delicate balance African nations must strike between club commitments and international duty during the demanding qualifying cycle.
