‘Each team has its weak moments’- Egypt coach speaks after shock AFCON exit

Egypt‘s head coach, Rui Vitoria, acknowledged that teams experience both strong and weak moments following their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The team exited the tournament after a dramatic 8-7 loss to DR Congo, with the match ending 1-1 in regular time.

Egypt coach admission

Vitoria admitted that they did not anticipate such a result and acknowledged the toughness of the DR Congo team.

Expressing sadness over the elimination, the coach took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging that part of the responsibility rested on him.

“It wasn’t what we expected. We came up against a tough opponent. Each team have its strong and weak moments.  We’re very sad. We worked hard to go far in the competition,” the coach said in a post-match interview.

“Then there was the penalty shoot-out and that wasn’t our day. In football, there are good times and bad times.  Part of the responsibility is mine. We’re going to keep working with this team as long as I am here,” the coach added.

The atmosphere at Stade Laurent Pokou remained intense throughout the 120-minute game. In the 37th minute, Meschack Elia scored, giving DR Congo the lead with a header from the six-yard box.

Egypt responded in the first half, receiving a penalty after a VAR review. Mostafa Mohamed converted it into the top right corner, beating goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.

Despite Egypt’s dominance in the second half, they couldn’t break down DR Congo’s resilient defense.

Egypt card

The game went into extra time, the first of the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. Egypt was reduced to 10 men when Hamdi Mohamed received his second yellow card.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Egypt continued to press and create chances. The game eventually went to a shootout, where Egypt missed twice from the penalty spot, with Mostafa Mohamed and goalkeeper Gabaski both failing to convert. DR Congo won 8-7 on penalties, securing their place in the quarter-finals.

This marks Egypt’s second consecutive failure to advance from the Round of 16 in three attempts. DR Congo, on the other hand, progresses after being eliminated in their first knockout game in their two previous appearances in 2019 and 2017.