Luis Figo: Egypt should move on after shock AFCON exit

Ahmed El Mohamady of Egypt during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Last 16 football match between Egypt and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 06 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Friday Jul 12, 2019. 12:00

Legendary Portuguese winger Luis Figo has urged Egypt to continue improving after crashing out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals which they are hosting.

The Pharaohs bowed out of the tournament losing 1-0 to South Africa in a Round of 16 match last weekend with Thembinkosi Lorch scoring the only goal of the match in Cairo.

Figo stated that record seven-time AFCON champions Egypt should accept the defeat and move on.

“Egypt’s exit from AFCON was a completely unexpected result, but there is no doubt that life goes on,” Figo told Time Sports channel.

“Egypt always show its capability on hosting such big tournaments and the more important thing is that it continues to improve and progress in a constant pattern.”

“This is my third visit to Egypt. The first was when I faced Al Ahly in 2001 with Real Madrid, then I was here for a CAF congress three years ago,” he added.

South Africa were eliminated from the tournament by Nigeria on Wednesday night.