By Emmanuel Ebimoh

Egypt FA have sacked coach Javier Aguirre just hours after their disappointing defeat to South Africa in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. President of the Egyptian Football Association, Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the 69 years old Mexican coach.

Abo Rida also announced his own resignation, calling on his board to step down. He described his resignation as a “moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support”.

In the same vein, Javier Aguirre had also told reporters after their defeat on Saturday 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 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 country Mexico in 2009. He also took Mexica to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.