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The consequences of failing to guide Egypt past the round of 16 in the 2023 AFCON could come in full force for Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria
Egypt's national football team, led by coach Rui Vitoria, is facing an uncertain future and harsh criticism following their disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
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05:01 - 29.01.2024
Egypt 1-1 D.R Congo: 10-man Salah-less Pharaohs crash out without a win as Leopards advance
D.R. Congo will face Guinea in the last eight after a dramatic round of 16 shootout victory against Egypt without Mohamed Salah.
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09:00 - 29.01.2024
AFCON 2023: Sebastien Desabre's brilliant and emotional reaction after guiding DR Congo to the quarterfinals past Egypt
The Frenchman said he was “happy for the people who are in difficulty in the Eastern part” of the Democratic Republic of Congo, dedicating the qualification of his team to the Congolese population victims of the war.
According to reports, the repercussions of the early exit could be felt soon as the Egyptian mull over the future of head coach Rui Vitoria amidst calls for change at the helm of the Pharaohs.
Egypt's Shocking Elimination
The team, who have a remarkable seven-time African championship record, suffered an embarrassing defeat, losing 8-7 on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 16, after a 1-1 draw in extra time in San Pedro.
During the match, it was clear that the Democratic Republic of Congo had the upper hand, creating more scoring opportunities than Egypt. In extra time, Egypt's chances further dwindled when they were reduced to 10 players after Mohamed Hamdy received a red card for his second bookable offense.
Rui Vitoria's Explanation and Criticisms
According to Reuters, Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria attributed the defeat to bad luck, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of football. He mentioned that there are "happy and sad moments" in the sport, implying that despite their best efforts, the desired outcome doesn't always materialize.
Egypt's performance throughout the tournament was far from impressive. They failed to secure a single victory, narrowly making it to the knockout stage with three 2-2 draws in their group matches. Their woes were compounded by the absence of key players due to injuries, including their star player Mohamed Salah and first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shennawy.
Prior to the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt had been enjoying a successful run under coach Rui Vitoria. They won 12 out of 14 matches under the 53-year-old Portuguese coach, with just one loss. However, their performance in the Ivory Coast was a stark departure from this success.
Harsh Criticism from Former Player
Former Egypt national team defender Wael Gomaa, who won three Nations Cup titles from 2006 to 2010, did not mince words when he criticized Rui Vitoria's leadership. Gomaa stated that Vitoria bears primary responsibility for Egypt's elimination, suggesting that he failed to bring out the best in the players and lacked a creative touch in his coaching approach.
Egypt's shock exit from the Africa Cup of Nations has left coach Rui Vitoria's future in doubt, with criticism mounting due to the team's lackluster performance and questionable coaching decisions during the tournament.
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