Egypt under-23 coach Hossam El-Badry has expressed his sorrow at saying goodbye to the Olympic Games with a surprising failure in the group stage of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal.

"This is football. All made tactical mistakes, but no one is to blame individually. We don't want to be cruel with players," El-Badry told an Egyptian television programme Saturday evening.

The Young Pharaohs experienced a 1-0 loss to already-eliminated Mali Saturday that left them at the bottom of their group in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal following two draws against Algeria and Nigeria.

"The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has supported us although we were under pressure lately," the 55-year-old tactician added.

The EFA thanked El-Badry, despite his failed mission, and is expected to begin a search for his successor.

"El-Badry's contract has expired already as he was appointed to lead the team until the Olympics finals," EFA boss Gamal Allam reportedly said.

El-Badri’s men finished at the bottom of Group B with two points, three behind Nigeria and Algeria who advanced to the last-four stage after playing out a goalless draw.

Egypt reached the quarter finals in the 2012 London Games after qualifying for the Olympics for the first time since 1992, but they will not be present in Rio de Janeiro next year after a Nations Cup campaign to forget.

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