Rui Vitória reacted this Saturday, about a week later, to his dismissal from the position of Egypt’s national team coach following their elimination in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Congo in the round of 16.
Through social media, Rui Vitória recalled the work done over two years with the Egyptian national team.
“By decision of the EFA, my cycle as the coach of the Egyptian national team has come to an end. Now that some days have passed since the official announcement, and after a period of reflection, I can say that I depart after 19 months, 18 games, with only one defeat, and with the nomination for the best national team coach in the world,” said Rui Vitória.
“What do these numbers mean? They mean that we dedicated ourselves to building a solid foundation for the present and future of Egyptian football, facing various challenges with determination and an unwavering focus on excellence,” explained the Portuguese coach, expressing surprise at the direction of the Egyptian Football Association.
“The four-year contract I signed was, as publicly known, intended for the preparation and renewal of the team for the 2026 World Cup. We are in early 2024. I arrived at a challenging time, with the goal of changing the situation of the national team, absent from the last World Cup and in last place in the qualification for AFCON. Our qualification, and the subsequent results, are proof of our ability to overcome challenges and the quality of the work done,” Rui Vitória said, acknowledging that the elimination in the AFCON round of 16 was a disappointment for everyone.
“Obviously, we are not satisfied with the penalty shootout elimination in the last AFCON, but we know the adversities we faced, which I will talk about later. I thank my technical team, the staff, and especially the players, whose commitment and passion were essential. To the fans and the people of Egypt, my heartfelt thanks for the constant support. This experience enriched me professionally and personally, and leaves me convinced, as I have always said, that the future of Egyptian football can be promising if everyone desires it. Thank you, Egypt, for this memorable adventure,” Rui Vi concluded.
