The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has relieved Rui Vitoria of his duties as the head coach of the national football team in the aftermath of their early elimination from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The decision was announced by the EFA board of directors, who stated in a released statement that they are currently “reviewing foreign coaches’ resumes.” The statement also expressed gratitude to Portuguese manager Rui Vitoria and his coaching staff for their services.
The national team’s elimination occurred in a dramatic penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the round of sixteen. The EFA board has appointed former al-Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef to take charge temporarily while the association considers its options for a new head coach.
Egypt’s journey in the AFCON, with aspirations of securing their first title since 2010, faced a significant setback with their defeat. The disappointment was amplified by the absence of star player Mohamed Salah, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Egypt’s lackluster group stage performance, characterized by three draws, had already raised concerns among local pundits.
Notably, all five of the highest-ranked African teams and the four previous edition semi-finalists were eliminated before reaching the quarterfinals, reflecting the unpredictability and competitiveness of this year’s AFCON.
Rui Vitoria, whose tenure with the Pharaohs lasted less than two years, is among several coaches exiting the AFCON scene as teams regroup and assess their strategies for future competitions.
