Javier Aguirre fired as Egypt manager after shock Africa Cup of Nations exit

Backlash begins after home nation crashes out of tournament following loss to South Africa in the last 16

Egypt's Mahmoud Hassan, left, reacts after a missed scoring opportunity saved by South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams during the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 match. AP Photo

Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, and Amr Warda react after losing the Africa Cup of Nations last-16 match against South Africa. AP Photo

South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams catches the ball during the match against Egypt. AP Photo

South Africa's Bongani Zungu, left, tussles for the ball with Egypt's Mohamed Elneny. AP Photo

South Africa players celebrate after beating Egypt to reach the 2019 Afcon quarter-finals. Getty Images

South Africa's Thembinkosi Lorch is challenged by Walid Soliman of Egypt. EPA

Mohamed Salah reacts after Thembinkosi Lorch scores South Africa's first goal. Reuters

South Africa's Thembinkosi Lorch scores the only goal of the game. AP Photo

South Africa players celebrate after scoring the decisive goal against Egypt. AP Photo

Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, and South Africa's Sandile Hlanti run for the ball. AP Photo

Mohamed Salah is marked by South Africa midfielder Dean Furman. AFP

Egypt's Amr Warda in action against South Africa's Dean Furman. Reuters

Egypt coach Javier Aguirre became the first casualty of the Africa Cup of Nations as he was sacked just hours after the hosts were bundled out of the tournament by South Africa in the round of 16.

Hosts Egypt lost 1-0 to an 85th minute goal from Thembinkosi Lorch on Saturday at the end of a lacklustre display in which their talisman Mohamed Salah looked out of sorts and they produced few goalscoring chances.

Egypt Football Association president Hany Abo Rida announced the firing of the Mexican coach, and his own resignation, less than three hours after the game as a stunned host nation digested the defeat.

Abo Rida also called on his board members to step down, calling his resignation a "moral obligation, although the football association had given the national team full material and moral support".

Aguirre told reporters after Saturday's defeat that he took sole responsibility but was proud of all of his players.

"The game was open and saw many chances. The only difference was that South Africa managed to score," he said.

Aguirre, 60, departs after less than a year in the job but not before setting a unique record by coaching at four different continental championships.

He won the Concacaf Gold Cup with his native Mexico in 2009, took them to the final of the Copa America and was in charge of Japan four years ago when they went out in the Asian Cup quarter-finals.