Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria, former head coach of the Egyptian national football team, has submitted his comprehensive report to the Egyptian Football Association, shedding light on the disappointing performance that led to Egypt’s exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during the group stage against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the detailed report obtained by *Al-Masry Al-Youm*, Vitoria emphasized that Egypt, over the course of the four matches, possessed the best goal-scoring average.
The team created more opportunities, delivered crosses, and had successful ball interceptions in the opponent’s half.
He stressed that the team had commendable possession statistics.
The head coach clarified, “All the goals conceded were against the run of play, and in case of not securing a victory, no one pays attention to the statistics.”
He highlighted the impactful injuries sustained by key players Mohamed Salah, Mohamed El-Shenawy, Ahmed Hegazi, Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet,” and Omar Marmoush ahead of the final match.
Moreover, Vitoria pointed out that some players did not perform up to the expected standards, influenced by the high temperature and humidity, negatively affecting the team’s overall performance.
Following the disappointing campaign, the Egyptian Football Association made the decision to dismiss Vitoria and his coaching staff.
Mohamed Youssef has been appointed as the interim coach until the selection of a new foreign head coach, along with the formation of the remaining coaching staff.
The report adds valuable insights into the challenges faced by the team during the tournament, providing a nuanced perspective on Egypt’s early exit from the AFCON.
