“Worst Football I’ve Seen”: Egypt Legend Slams Pharaohs After AFCON 2023 Exit

• Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations exit has sparked negative reactions
• Country legend Wael Gomaa has blamed coach Rui Vitoria for their exit
• Egypt were eliminated in the Round of 16 via penalties by DR Congo

Egypt legend Wael Gomaa has slammed coach Rui Vitoria after the Pharaohs were eliminated from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations without winning a single game.

The seven-time AFCON champions were booted out in the Round of 16 by the Democratic Republic of Congo via penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw after extra time.

According to KingFut, Gomaa noted that Egypt played the worst football he had seen, criticising Vitoria for underutilising the good talents available to him in the Pharaohs' squad.

“We suffered from mishandling by Rui Vitoria, who is responsible for the players. He brought out the worst in them and did not help them to perform well.

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“Unfortunately, it’s the worst football I have seen from the Egyptian national team in my life."

Egypt advanced to the knockout stages following 2-2 draws in Group B against Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde, followed by another draw against DR Congo in the Round of 16 before their elimination.

Salah’s AFCON hopes dashed again

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah will not be able to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after Egypt was eliminated from the competition on Sunday in a dramatic penalty shootout, France 24 reports.

The record seven-time AFCON champions lost 8-7 on penalties against the Democratic Republic of Congo after their last-16 tie ended 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal, popularly known as Gabaski, missed Egypt's eighth penalty, and Congolese keeper Lionel Mpasi made no mistake in sending DR Congo through to the quarter-finals.

Salah fail to shine at AFCON

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Mohamed Salah and Andre Onana went into the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with great expectations, but the two Premier League stars had a disappointing competition as their teams were eliminated.

The Liverpool and Manchester United stars abandoned their clubs in the middle of the Premier League season to win their first African Cup of Nations title.

Their respective campaigns in Ivory Coast, however, were disappointing, with Salah and Onana appearing in only three matches combined at this year's AFCON.