Egypt's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign was destined to miss the target right before it started.
The writing was on the wall.
The Pharaohs were indeed the clear favourites to win a home tournament, especially with one of the world's best at their squad in Mohamed Salah and an impressive list of players that play in Europe.
Against Zimbabwe, Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet saved them by the bell with his personal ability to gain a tight victory;
Against DR Congo, it seemed that it goes the right way but still wasn't perfect.
Against Uganda, it was a complete lie, as the Cranes were better and only two genius moves by Mohamed Salah has guaranteed the victory.
But Against South Africa, a none-shining hard-working team that fights and doesn't let things go smoothly - Egypt has simply collapsed.
As usual, the situation in Egypt has held much more than just football. There were many signs.
The silencing of Mohamad Mursi's death days before the tournament.
The tickets prices who prevented the real football fans attending the stadiums, and was directed only the upper-class local fans.
The quiet protests in the stands against Abdelfatah A-Sisi in the 20th (Zamalek victims), 22nd (honouring Aboutrika), 74th minutes (Port Said victims).
The Amr Warda case, which exposed the ethical manners of the player and his teammates and erupted a severe discussion on abuse & relations towards women in the country. When he entered the game yesterday, it was already clear that nothing good will come out from this match for the home team.
Moreover, the Egyptian national team, who for years was the unifying element in the Egyptian society, has scrambled and turned into a conflicted identity among the people. An ambivalent symbol in the already uncertain reality in Egypt nowadays.
On the pitch - they simply weren't good enough. Abdallah Said, Ahmed Hegazy, Ashraf Soliman, Marwan Mohsen, are not the players that can grab a team as Egypt and complete Mohamed Salah.
Besides, Javier Aguirre, the Mexican coach, did not have any control on the team spirit, which a direct continuation to what went took place in Russia, with the mess the Egyptian camp had experienced during the World Cup.
Aguirre has been sacked late at night, while Hany Abu Rida, the Egyptian FA president has resigned as well.
That won't change the fact that Egypt is going home at a tournament they are hosting.
Although they were the favourites to go all the way, taking all of the above, the writing was on the wall.