Egypt’s Shehata has contract extended

Egypt’s Shehata has contract extended

CAIRO: The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) is giving national team manager Hassan Shehata one more chance to take the Pharaohs to the World Cup in four years. According to local reports, Shehata has inked a new contract extension to remain head coach of the national team through 2014, when the next World Cup takes place in Brazil.

The move comes as Egypt completed its third consecutive African Cup of Nations championship, all under the tutelage of Shehata. However, disappointment abounds in the country after Egypt lost to Algeria in a play-off in November that saw the Algerian side advance to the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

His tenure will end in the summer of 2014, unless, as local reports indicate, he is successful in advancing the Egyptian side to the World Cup. He is one of the most successful managers in the history of African football.

Shehata, who was appointed as Egypt coach in 2004, is determined to help the Pharaohs to the 2014 World Cup though, and the Egyptian Football Association have now handed him the chance to get his revenge.

Egypt have not qualified for a World Cup since 1990, when they were eliminated in the group phase after drawing twice and losing their third match to England.

Had they qualified for this year’s World Cup, they would have played the English again, instead Algeria will face England.

BM