The president of Egypt’s Football Association did not take the shock defeat to Bafana Bafana too well and sacked Pharaohs coach Javier Aguirre before resigning himself with immediate effect on Sunday night.
Efa’s official twitter account announced the news in the aftermath of Egypt’s somewhat surprising 1-0 defeat to South Africa thanks to Thembinkosi Lorch’s winner.
أبو ريدة يقيل الجهاز الفني ويتقدم باستقالته
أعلن المهندس هاني أبو ريدة استقالته من رئاسة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم كما دعا أعضاء مجلس إدارة الاتحاد لتقديم استقالاتهم ، وذلك عقب خروج المنتخب الوطني الأول من دور ال 16 لبطولة الأمم الأفريقية التي تنظمها مصر حاليا . pic.twitter.com/jUfNvdCMfD
— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) July 6, 2019
The hosts, who had won all their group stage games without conceding, were stunned by Stuart Baxter’s resilient side in front of 75 000 fans at the packed Cairo International Stadium.
As a consequence, Efa president Hani Abu Reidah announced his resignation, the association’s twitter account confirmed.
The tweet translates to: “Hani Abu Reidah announced his resignation from the presidency of the Egyptian Football Federation and also invited the members of the Board of Directors of the Union to resign, following the departure of the first national team from the round of 16 of the Africa Cup currently organized in Egypt.”
It was also confirmed that coach Aguirre and his technical team were dismissed, Despite his resignation, Abou-Rida – who also called for members of the board to step down – said he will continue in his position as head of the organising committee of the 2019 AFCON.
Egypt appointed Mexican boss Aguirre following their group-stage exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Former Japan and Mexico coach Aguirre signed a four-year deal to replace Hector Cuper last year.
“I am the one responsible [for Egypt’s exit],” Aguirre said at the post-match news conference.
“I’m responsible for all the selections and the end results, but I’m still proud of this group of players.”
Aguirre, who has managed the likes of Mexico, Japan and Atletico Madrid in his long tenure as a coach, seemed resigned to his fate as well.
“The next step will be decided after I meet with the Egyptian FA board tomorrow,” he said following the match, though the decision was apparently taken to part ways prior to any meeting on Sunday.
According to Egyptian press, The Egyptian authorities will launch a probe into the Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) financial and administrative violations and irregularities.