Javier Aguirre has been sacked as coach of the Egyptian national football team after a shock defeat to South Africa in the Round of 16 stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
His removal was followed by the resignation of the Egyptian FA president Hany Abo Rieda, who also urged his fellow board members to follow suit and submit their resignations after Saturday’s disappointment.
Coach Aguirre, 60, has been in charge of the team since August 2018, succeeding Hector Cuper, who departed after the Pharaoh’s 2018 World Cup exit.
Egypt bowed out of the tournament after losing 1-0 to South Africa on Saturday, ending their hopes of extending the record for the most AFCON titles won. The North African side has won the elite continental competition seven times, two more than second placed Cameroon.
“Of course I am responsible,” coach Aguirre said after his side’s loss.
“I think the game was open and there were chances for both teams. The only difference was the goal for South Africa.”
Egypt had hoped to take advantage of home support to win the 2019 tournament, but not even the star-studded team including Mohamed Salah could keep them from losing on Saturday.
Egypt’s exit came after the elimination of Cameroon, which won the 2017 AFCON edition in Gabon. The Indomitable Lions beat the Pharaohs 2-1.
Other than South Africa, the other teams that have already qualified for the quarter final stage include Senegal, Benin and Nigeria.
The Round of 16 stage continues with games pitting Madagascar against DR Congo, Algeria against Guinea, Mali against Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana against Tunisia.
