Doubts surrounds Egypt's AFCON 2023 coach Rui Vitória
5th January 2024
As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaches, the Egyptian national football team, known as the Pharaohs, is facing controversy regarding their head coach, Rui Vitória.
The criticism comes from an unexpected source—Zaki Abdelfattah, the former Egyptian international goalkeeper and coach.
In an exclusive interview with Al-Shams TV channel, Abdelfattah expressed concerns about Vitória's perceived lack of international experience, going so far as to label the Portuguese coach as "incompetent."
Abdelfattah believes that Vitória's inexperience at the international level could be a potential drawback for the Egyptian national team.
“I said it before, Rui Vitoria is a good manager, but he has no experience at the international level, and he came to try something new at our expense,” Abdelfattah stated.
Expressing further skepticism about Vitória's suitability for the role, Abdelfattah criticized the decision to tie the Portuguese coach to a four-year contract, emphasizing that he doesn't share the same vision as the football association.
Egypt, a powerhouse in African football, is placed in Group B for the AFCON alongside Ghana, Mozambique, and Cape Verde.
The controversy surrounding Vitória adds an additional layer of scrutiny as the Pharaohs aim to navigate their way through a challenging tournament.