CAIRO: Virtually eliminated from possible qualification for next years African Cup of Nations on Sunday, Egyptian national team coach Hassan Shehata did what millions of Egyptians had hoped would happen: he resigned. The Egyptian Football Association confirmed that they and Shehata had officially parted ways and a search for a replacement was underway. Egypt needed three points from Sunday's match with South Africa in Cairo, but could only muster a scoreless draw with the Bafana Bafana, leaving fans and a country upset that the three-time continental champions were likely not to defend their title. The goalless draw was the final nail in Shehata's coaching coffin after a disastrous start to qualifying saw the North African giants pick up just one point from their opening three games. The 61-year-old joined the Egyptian national team in 2004 and masterminded three consecutive AFCON winning campaigns – in 2006, 2008 and 2010. However, the Pharaohs' poor start to qualifying for the 2012 edition of the showpiece has seen the EFA lose faith in him. Shortly before the announcement on Monday, websites and social media were filled with calls from fans for Shehata to step down from his position. BM
