CAIRO: Egypt coach Hassan Shehata said he would not hand in his resignation if his side failed to overcome Zambia in Saturday s World Cup qualifier.
Anything less than a win away to Zambia in the penultimate round of the World Cup qualifiers will damage Egypt s chances of reaching the tournament for the first time since 1990.
The Pharaohs lie second in Group C with seven points, three behind leaders Algeria with two matches remaining. Only the group winners will qualify for next year s South Africa finals.
Shehata is widely regarded as one of the best managers in Egypt s history after steering the team to two successive Nations Cup titles in 2006 and 2008.
However, a failure to reach the World Cup – an ultimate goal for a country which struggled to live up to its reputation on the international stage – could seal his fate.
I will not resign even if Egypt did not beat Zambia, Zamalek icon Shehata told Modern Sport.
I did not resign at any point in my career nor do I intend to. If the Egyptian Football Association think I m no longer able to carry out my duties they should sack me.
Egypt face Zambia in Chililabombwe before hosting North African rivals Algeria at Cairo Stadium on Nov. 14.