Rui Vitoria has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Egyptian national football team after their hopes for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph were shattered last week.
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) confirmed the decision, expressing gratitude to the Portuguese manager and his staff. The EFA board is currently reviewing foreign coaches’ resumes to fill the vacant position.
In the interim, former al-Ahly coach Mohamed Youssef will take charge of the national team. Egypt’s AFCON journey ended in the last 16 with a dramatic penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The defeat was a bitter disappointment for the Egyptians, who aimed to secure their first AFCON title since 2010.
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The absence of talisman Mohamed Salah, sidelined due to a hamstring injury, further impacted Egypt’s performance.
The team’s lackluster group stage showing, marked by three draws, added to the frustration of fans.
The EFA had issued an apology to Egyptian supporters for falling short of their expectations.
Vitoria, who served as the Pharaohs’ head coach for less than two years, joins a list of AFCON coaches facing exits.
The tournament has witnessed surprise successes for underdog teams while proving disappointing for traditionally strong footballing nations.
All five top-ranked African teams were eliminated before the quarter-finals, along with the four semi-finalists from the previous edition.