- Mo Salah score a late winner as Egypt come from behind to edge Zimbabwe 2–1 in the AFCON 2025 opening clash.
- The match was played on Monday, December 22, at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco.
- Prince Dube gave Zimbabwe the lead in the first half before fellow Premier League standout Omar Marmoush pulled Egypt level.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah struck late as Egypt rallied from behind to secure a dramatic 2–1 victory over resilient Zimbabwe in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night at the Stade Adrar in Agadir, Morocco.
The record African champions squandered several clear-cut opportunities in the first half that should have put the contest beyond doubt.
Instead, they were stunned when Prince Dube broke Egyptian hearts by giving the Warriors a surprise lead before the interval.
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Egypt eventually responded through another Premier League standout Omar Marmoush, who restored parity in the second half, before Salah sealed the comeback with a decisive late finish.
The Manchester City attacker Marmoush was arguably the standout performer across the entire match.
The result is crucial for Hossam Hassan’s side, who also face formidable opponents South Africa and Angola in Group B.
Egypt vs Zimbabwe AFCON 2025 Group B Match Report
In a vibrant stadium, the Pharaohs started with vigor and energy.
As early as the fourth minute, they created a promising moment when Emam Ashour broke down the left, but his attempted cross was blocked by Munashe Garananga.
Two minutes later, Egypt crafted another brilliant chance: Salah drifted onto the right wing and curled a delicious ball to the back post for Trezeguet, whose header was on target but parried to safety by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
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Salah looked sharp in the opening exchanges, and the Zimbabwe defense left him space on the right once more, granting the attacker a close-range opportunity that was eventually scrambled clear.
The Pharaohs were relentless, creating chance after chance. Minutes later, Salah again delivered a curling pass into the path of Ashour in the left corner, but the Al Ahly man prodded wide from eight yards.
Despite Egypt’s dominance, their confidence was dented in the 20th minute when Zimbabwe capitalized on one of their best opportunities.
Emmanuel Jalai swept the ball from the right into the area, and midfielder Prince Dube turned neatly before guiding a low shot into the bottom left corner to give Mario Marinica’s side the lead.
Frustrated by the earlier wasted chances, coach Hossam Hassan made an early change, replacing attacking midfielder Ashour with FC Nantes forward Mostafa Mohamed to add experience in attack.
Egypt controlled the remainder of the first half but squandered close to five opportunities- two of which fell to Omar Marmoush, who fired long-range efforts over the bar. Zimbabwe held their narrow lead into halftime.
Egypt come from behind to edge Zimbabwe 2–1
The second half began in similar fashion, with Egypt continuing to misfire in front of goal.
Their persistence finally paid off four minutes after the hour mark, when Marmoush- having missed earlier chances- struck a heart-wrenching equalizer for his side.
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Godknows Murwira was beaten at right-back, allowing Mohamed Hamdy to slide a pass into Marmoush’s path.
The Manchester City man raced in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net to level the score.
The remainder of the match was tense for the dominant yet wasteful Egyptians, who spurned further opportunities to take the lead.
It was Salah who rescued them in the 90th minute, slotting home after a clever headed pass from Mostafa Mohamed in the box.
The Liverpool star overpowered his marker, swiveled, and finished with his left foot into the bottom left corner, beyond Arubi’s reach, securing a late win and three vital points in Group B.
Egypt vs Zimbabwe AFCON 2025 Group B Lineups – Monday December 22, 2025
- Egypt: Mohamed Elshenawy, Mohamed Hany, Hossam Abdelsalam, Ibrahim Elhanafy, Ibrahim Hassan, Emam Ashour, Mohamed Salah, Hamdy Fathy, Marawan Attia, Omar Marmoush.
- Zimbabwe: Washington Arubi, John Gerald, Peter Munashe, Mpumelelo Dube, Jonah Fabisch, Gift Navaya, Daniel Msendami, Teenegae Lingani, Marvelous Nakamba, Godknows Murwira, Emmanuel Jalai.