Mohamed Salah to miss Egypt's final World Cup qualifier

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Egypt take on Ghana in their World Cup qualifier on November 12
The Pharoahs have already qualified thanks to Mo Salah's winner v Congo
Salah rested for final game to allow him to focus on Liverpool matches

Published: 11:19 EDT, 2 November 2017 | Updated: 12:30 EDT, 2 November 2017

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Mohamed Salah will miss Egypt's final World Cup qualifier against Ghana this month to focus on Liverpool's domestic and European campaigns.

Egypt have already qualified for the World Cup in Russia, finishing at the top of Group E ahead of Uganda, Ghana and the Republic of Congo.

But the November 12 match against Ghana could be a valuable test for how the team performs without Salah, who has five of their seven goals and ensured qualification with a game to spare with a penalty in injury time against the Republic of Congo on October 8.

Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool's opener against Maribor on Wednesday night

Egypt coach Hector Cuper has instead called up Mahmoud Abdel-Razeq, better known by his nickname Sheekabala, in Salah's place. It is the first call up for the controversial striker since 2014 is a reward for his impressive form this season at Saudi club Al-Raed.

The 31-year-old Sheekabala's troubles on and off the field have reduced a player who once promised so much to a journeyman plagued by injuries while earning wages playing for clubs in Greece, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Cuper has been widely criticised in Egypt for his reliance on Liverpool winger Salah, with the media mockingly dubbing the Argentine's strategy to be simply 'pass it to Salah'. A win over Ghana without Salah could give the Pharaohs a much-needed boost, allowing other strikers, including Sheekabala, to shine.

Salah could also use the rest.

Salah points to the sky after scoring the goal which booked Egypt's place at the World Cup

Liverpool are in sixth place in the Premier League with 16 points, nine adrift of leaders Manchester City and only ahead of Burnley on goal difference. Their European campaign is going much better with Liverpool now at the top of their Champions League group after four matches.

Egypt lost to Ghana 6-1 when the two last met in the west African nation, a defeat that wrecked Egypt's chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.