A late Mohamed Salah winner rescued a victory for Egypt and denied a resilient Zimbabwe, as the Pharaohs came from behind to win 2-1 in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Afrosport reports.
Egypt dominated the first half, with Salah creating chances, but it was Zimbabwe who took the lead. Prince Dube gave the Warriors a shocking lead against the run of play, scoring from a well-placed ball.
The Pharaohs responded with intense pressure but went into halftime trailing despite being the better side in the opening period.
In the second half, Egypt found the equaliser through Omar Marmoush’s brilliant 64th minute strike. After a quick counterattack, the Manchester City forward fired a powerful strike into the top corner from a difficult angle, leaving goalkeeper Washington Arubi helpless.
Substitute Zizo squandered Egypt’s best chance of the closing stages, as he planted his header a long way over after being found by a delicious Mohamed Hamdy cross.
Despite some missed chances, including a key opportunity from substitute Zizo, Salah struck in stoppage time to clinch the win and deny Zimbabwe a historic point. The Liverpool star found the bottom corner after holding off a challenge from a Zimbabwean defender.
The result sees Egypt level on points with South Africa, with Bafana Bafana claiming maximum points against Angola. The seven-time African champions are back in action on Friday in a blockbuster clash against South Africa in Agadir.
