Egypt tells Shehata no-go for Nigeria job

Egypt tells Shehata no-go for Nigeria job

CAIRO: Egypt’s national football association has told the team’s manager Hassan Shehata that he cannot consider himself for taking over the Nigerian top post for the 2010 World Cup. The announcement comes as Shehata recently reported he had inked an extension through the 2014 World Cup, if Egypt is successful in earning a trip to Brazil.

Shehata had said he was contacted by Nigeria following the African Cup of Nations – which Egypt won for a third straight time – and allegedly had offered him a spot on their shortlist for the position.

The Egyptian coach had said he would be interested in the role had it been short-term, but the Egyptian Football Association apparently has put this idea in the dumpster, saying that Shehata is Egypt’s coach and cannot be removed from the role.

Egypt has been successful under Shehata, winning three African championships, but was disappointed when they lost to Algeria last November, losing a spot in the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

“I received many offers but the Egypt FA closed the door on them and announced that I will continue until the end of my contract,” he said.

His current contract with the newly-crowned African Champions runs until 2012, but most reports say he has signed the extension.

He joins Bayern Munich’s Dutch coach Louis van Gaal in rejecting the chance to replace Shaibu Amodu, who was fired Saturday.

Russia boss Guus Hiddink is reportedly the number one target and is joined by Englishman Peter Taylor, ex-Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic, Bruno Metsu and Giovanni Trapattoni, who is currently in charge of the Republic of Ireland.

Nigeria are in Group B for the World Cup with Argentina, Greece and South Korea.

BM