Egypt sacks national coach after shock Africa Cup of Nations defeat

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre has been sacked following a shock defeat for the Egyptian national football team in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cup of Nations hosts Egypt were knocked out in the Round of 16 by South Africa on Saturday, losing 1-0 after a poor performance where star player Mo Salah seemed out of form.

South African striker Thembikosi Lorch scored in the 85^th minute.

The game was held at the Cairo International Stadium in front of 75,000 mostly Egyptian fans.

Egyptian Football Association president Hani Abu Rida announced Mexican coach Aguirre’s sacking - and his own resignation – less than three hours after Egypt’s defeat by South Africa.

Abu Rida also called on all the board members of the Egyptian Football Association to resign, saying that this was a "moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support".

Aguirre told reporters that he took sole responsibility for the defeat 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.

Javier Aguirre, 60, has spent less than a year as Egypt’s national football team coach.

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