AFCON 2023: Egypt Legend Questions Ability of Pharaohs Coach Rui Vitoria After Ghana Draw

• Egypt's AFCON hopes took another dent after drawing 2-2 with Ghana
• Egypt legend Wael Gomaa has criticized Pharaohs coach Rui Vitoria after the result
• Vitoria has been the Egyptian coach since July 2022 and has drawn both AFCON games so far

Egypt drew 2-2 with Ghana in their second Group B game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Egypt and Al Ahly legend Wael Gomaa is not impressed with Pharaohs coach Rui Vitoria following the frustrating draw.

The seven-time AFCON champions salvaged a draw from a difficult game. They lost their captain and best player, Mohamed Salah to injury and conceded a Mohammed Kudus goal shortly after.

They equalized through Omar Marmoush before Kudus gave Ghana the lead a few minutes later. The Black Stars' defensive mistakes were punished by Mostafa Mohamed, who scored Egypt's second in the 73rd minute.

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Egypt created more chances to win the game, but it wasn't to be. The Pharaohs have two points from two games after Mohamed Salah rescued a point against Mozambique.

Rui Vitoria's side must beat Cape Verde to have a chance of reaching the knockout stage. A defeat could put their AFCON title hopes in jeopardy.

Gomaa criticizes Rui Vitoria

Gomaa was part of the Egyptian teams that won three straight AFCON titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010. He is unimpressed with Vitoria's ability to get the best out of Egypt's squad.

“Rui Vitoria is simply not the right fit to be Egypt’s head coach,” Gomaa said. “He doesn’t know how to get the best out of this group," via KingFut.

Gomaa does not understand why Vitoria starts Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.

“His team selection has question marks all over it again. With all due respect to Mohamed Elneny, how does he get another start in this competition? I have nothing against him, but it’s clear that he lacks match fitness and can’t perform his defensive duties as a holding midfielder."

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Gomaa added that Egypt has no identity under Vitoria.

Vitoria was appointed Egypt's coach in July 2022 after a successful stint in club football. He won two Portuguese league titles with Benfica in 2016 and 2017, per BBC.

Egypt captain Salah injured

Sports Brief earlier reported on Liverpool star Mohamed Salah getting injured in Egypt's draw with Ghana.

The Premier League superstar appeared to injure his hamstring before signalling to the bench to take him off the field.

Egypt's AFCON hopes will be seriously dented if the injury is serious, but they showed they can perform without their talisman.