AMERICAN manager Bob Bradley announced his readiness to leave the Egyptian national squad "if it benefits the team." The 54-year-old coach made the statement following harsh criticism by fans and critics after the Pharaohs surprising 3-2 defeat by the Central African Republic last Friday in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. "I have no problem leaving Egypt if the Football Association decides that, but I came here to fulfil the Egyptians' dream of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil," Bradley told the Egyptian state news agency MENA. "I am the only person responsible for the defeat." Egyptian Football Association (EFA) spokesman Azmi Megahed expressed his disappointment over the defeat, putting the loss down to the players. "We were shocked by what happened in the Central Africa game," Megahed told Ahram Sports on Saturday. "Egypt's players were exhausted and didn't pay attention to the opponent's superb performance in the game," he added. "We will hold a meeting with the team's technical staff before opening a tough preparatory camp before the away game against Central Africa," Megahed stated. "The football association won't punish the players for losing the game. We are awaiting their response in the away game," he said. Given that Bradley's contract includes a clause that allows its automatic termination if the team does not qualify for any Africa nations championships or World Cup, his future remains unclear. "There is no problem if the EFA rescinds the contract based on this condition," Zaki Abdel-Fattah, Egypt's goalkeeping coach, said. "We are dealing with professionalism and will do everything in our power to achieve the goal that we attended for: build a good team to be able to carry Egypt's name in the coming tournaments." From its side, the EFA on Monday reassured its support for the national coaching staff. "The EFA is fully confident in Bob Bradley and his staff," said Megahed. He said that the federation had never thought of breaking ties with Bradley in the wake of the loss to Central Africa in the Africa Nations Cup qualifier. He added that the EFA is well aware that the team played the game in exceptional circumstances in addition to strain of the return flight from Guinea �ê" where the team had played in a World Cup qualifier -- stressing that the dream of qualifying for the Cup of Nations did not evaporate because "compensation is possible in the return leg."
