Egypt s Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz (L) reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 round of 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Egypt at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 26, 2022 (AFP)
The Pharaohs' coach Carlos Queiroz and midfielder Amr El-Sulaya failed to show up at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Cameroonian capital Yaounde, prompting organisers to cancel the pre-match news conference.
The EFA attributed the no-show of Queiroz and El-Sulaya to "traffic congestion and the view of the security forces accompanying the convoy that the players' bus must be delivered first to the team's residence," the EFA statement read.
"There weren't also sufficient security arrangements for the vehicle that was supposed to take Queiroz and El-Sulaya to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium."
The EFA also criticised organisers for moving the match from the Olembe Stadium in Yaounde across town to the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, before bringing forward the kick-off time by an hour to 4pm local time, saying the decisions had disrupted Egypt's preparations.
The venue switch came after eight people were killed in a crush outside the Olembe Stadium during the round-of-16 game between hosts Cameroon and Comoros last Monday.
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