Egypt national team performance analyst resigns days before AFCON

CAIRO-7 January 2022: Michael Loftman, Egypt national team performance analyst, announced on Friday that he will leave his position and will return to South Africa, to continue his coaching journey. 

 

Loftman's decision comes only four days before Egypt's opening game in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. 

 

"It was a privilege to work across the World Cup Qualifiers, and stand for the Egyptian National Anthem. Thank you to all of the local and  staff who I worked with in Egypt - it was an important experience both personally and professionally." Loftman tweeted on Friday. 

 

Loftman was part of Carlos Queiroz's staff who were appointed in September 2021 to coach the national team in the journey to 2022 FIFA World Cup.

 

Egypt plays in Group D alongside Nigeria, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.  

 

The Pharaohs will start their mission in the competition on Tuesday against Nigeria, bringing back the memories of their start in the competition in 2010 when they defeated Nigeria 3-1 in the opening match of the group and eventually won the title. 

 

The Pharaohs are the record title-holders, having won the title on seven occasions and they hope to put their hand on the trophy after a 12-year hiatus.