Gohary to quit after Mali 2002

Gohary is paying for the disappointment of World Cup failure

Mahmoud El Gohary will be replaced as the coach of Egypt even if he wins the African Nation's Cup in Mali next year.

It follows the disappointment of the Pharaohs not qualifying for the World Cup in Japan and Korea.

The Egyptian Football Federation has come to an understanding with Gohary that he can take the team to Mali as long as he quits afterwards.

The Federation says it is beginning the search for a foreign coach to replace Gohary.

The former Egypt international was appointed in March last year and set the task of qualifying the Pharaohs to both the World Cup and Nations Cup after the departure of Frenchman Gerard Gili.

Egyptian football officials have been deliberating over Gohary's future since after the Egyptians lost their World Cup ticket to Senegal.

Egypt drew 1-1 with Algeria in Annaba, while Senegal top the group and qualified for the World Cup after beating Namibia 5-0 in Windhoek.

Gohary has been Egypt's coach on numerous occasions - being sacked when things go wrong and being called back in again to pick up the pieces when others fail to do any better.

He took Egypt to their last World Cup appearance in Italy 11 years ago, but failed to repeat that success for the '94, '98 and now 2002 World Cup finals.