Shobeir went a step further by claiming he backed Shehata to stay in charge of the national team until 2008.

“I don't have a problem with Shehata," Shobeir told reporters on Wednesday. "I'm also backing him to stay in charge of the national team."

Shehata's contract expired by the end of the African Cup of Nations (ACN) that Egypt won earlier in February.

However, the EFA is set to renew Shehata's contract until the 2008 ACN finals in Ghana after reviewing his technical report for the past period.

EFA president Samir Zaher revealed that the board members will convene to make a final decision regarding Shehata's future within two weeks after reviewing the report.

“Even though there is a consensus on Shehata staying in charge, we still have to examine his report thoroughly,” Zaher said.

Egypt’s first official match will be against Burundi in the 2008 CAN qualifiers early in September.

The African champions were drawn with Burundi to Group B in the qualifiers alongside Mauritania and Botswana.