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Hany Abo Rida, president of Egyptian FA and member of FIFA Executive Committee, during an interview at the 2018 Russia World Cup. /VCG File Photo
The president of the Egyptian soccer association (FA) Hany Abo Rida has stepped down after hosts Egypt crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday.
Despite his resignation, Rida will continue in his position as head of the organizing committee of the 2019 AFCON.
Meanwhile, Egypt sacked their Mexican head coach Javier Aguirre as the much-fancied home side suffered shock elimination after losing to rank-outsiders South Africa 1-0 in the round of 16.
Egypt appointed Aguirre following their group-stage exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. With a four-year contract, Aguirre, the former Japan and Mexico coach, replaced Hector Cuper last year.
"I am the one responsible (for Egypt's exit)," Aguirre said at the post-match news conference.
"I'm responsible for all the selections and the end results, but I'm still proud of this group of players."
Egypt's coach Javier Aguirre shouts to his players during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against South Africa in Cairo, Egypt, July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Tipped as leading title contenders on home soil, the Egyptians faltered against a Bafana Bafana side that only scraped through into the knockout phase via the last of four spots reserved for the best third-placed sides.
Thembinkosi Lorch's 85th-minute winner broke the hearts of the Egyptian fans as South Africa progressed to the next round at the expense of the home team.
The disappointing defeat of the star-studded seven-time champions came even though they had Liverpool star Mohamed Salah spearheading their attack.
Soon after the defeat Rida "sacked" his technical team and cited "a moral obligation" for his resignation in a statement released by the Egyptian FA.
The statement also added that all board members had been invited to resign.
Rida was at the helm of the Egyptian FA since 2016, and his three-year reign marked a slew of controversies, including a catastrophic campaign in the 2018 World Cup that saw the Pharaohs fail to get out of the group stages after losing all of their matches.
Egypt's Mohamed Salah reacts shocked after his team's 0-1 defeat against South Africa during the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match in Cairo, Egypt, July 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
The federation also locked horns with its icon player Salah, the reigning African Footballer of the Year and won the Champions League last month, who has accused the body of misusing his image inside the country.
Recently the reinstatement of a player who had been banned following sexual harassment charges had triggered further widespread social media criticism of the governing body of soccer in Egypt.