EFA fire Rui Vitoria post AFCON

After a shambolic AFCON 2023 performance by the Pharos, the Egyptian Football Association have officially gone separate ways with coach Rui Vitoria, as announced by the EFA on Sunday.

’The Egyptian Football Association decided to part-ways with Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria and his technical staff,” read a statement on the (EFA) official X account on Sunday.

“The EFA will scan CVs to choose a foreign coach to take charge of the Egyptian national team”

The seven-time African champions were eliminated from the tournament in the round of 16 after a dramatic 8-7 loss to DR Congo in a penalty shootout.

Since then, the Portuguese coach has faced criticism, with many voices within the Egyptian Football Association calling for his departure.

Egypt’s campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations was marked by underwhelming performances, failing to secure a victory in any of their four matches leading up to their elimination.

In the group stage, they finished second in their group with three draws, playing Mozambique to a 2-2 draw, Ghana to a 2-2 draw, and Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw.

In the round of 16, they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo before losing in the penalty shootout.

Rui Vitoria, 53, took charge of the Egyptian national team in July 2022, signing a contract that was set to keep him with the Pharaohs until the summer of 2026.

During his tenure, he led the team to 12 victories, five draws, and suffered only one defeat.

Meanwhile, the (EFA) have named former Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef as the interim manager for the Egyptian national team.

Youssef, 53 years old, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously guided Ahly to victory in the CAF Champions League in 2013.

He has also had coaching stints with Petrojet, NBE Club, Future FC, and Iraqi club Al-Shorta.

While Youssef will take charge temporarily, he is expected to transition into an assistant role once a new foreign coach is appointed to lead the team.