AFCON 2019: Egypt sack coach after shock exit

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre has been sacked after the hosts were bundled out of the Africa Cup of Nations by South Africa in the round of 16.

The Pharaohs lost 1-0 to an 85th-minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch on Saturday at the end of a lacklustre display in which their talisman Mohamed Salah looked out of sorts and they produced few goalscoring chances.

Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the Mexican coach, and his own resignation, less than three hours after the game.

Abo Rida also called on his board members to step down, calling his resignation a "moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support".

Aguirre told reporters after Saturday's defeat that he took sole responsibility but was proud of all of his players.

"The game was open and saw many chances. The only difference was that South Africa managed to score," he said.

Aguirre, 60, departs after less than a year in the job but not before setting a unique record by coaching at four different continental championships.

He won the Concacaf Gold Cup with his native Mexico in 2009, took them to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarterfinals.

-- 

Follow all the tournament games with #JoyAFCON. There’s live radio commentary on Joy 99.7FM, post-match programs on Joy FM, JoyNews TV (available via MultiTV Digibox and on DStv channel 421), Joy Prime (on DStv 281), analysis shows, and fanzones. Follow complete social media coverage on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with @JoySportsGH.

Read Full Story