Egypt opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations journey with a dramatic turnaround, edging Zimbabwe after conceding first in Morocco.
Egypt opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations journey with a dramatic turnaround, edging Zimbabwe after conceding first in Morocco.
The contest appeared set to frustrate the seven-time champions for long spells, despite their dominance and attacking pressure.
Zimbabwe struck against the flow when Prince Dube finished clinically in the opening half, silencing the Egyptian support in Agadir.
The Pharaohs responded after the interval, equalising through Omar Marmoush before Mohamed Salah struck deep into added time to secure all three points.
Before the break, Egypt created numerous openings but failed to convert, with veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi repeatedly denying them.
Salah supplied dangerous deliveries from wide areas, while Trezeguet and Emam Ashour were unable to apply the finishing touch, one effort striking the woodwork after a save.
Marmoush also tested Arubi from a distance, forcing another stop, before sending a later attempt over the crossbar from a promising position.
Despite sustained pressure, Zimbabwe remained organised, absorbing waves of attacks while relying on Dube’s moment of quality to stay ahead.
After the restart, Egypt maintained their tempo and were eventually rewarded when Marmoush cut inside from the left and powered a fierce shot into the net from a tight angle.
Zimbabwe, with Macauley Bonne isolated in attack, focused on defending deeper as Egypt continued to probe for a winner.
Several chances went begging, and as the atmosphere dipped, the match seemed destined for a draw.
However, in stoppage time, Salah reacted quickest inside the penalty area, using his strength to hold off a defender before nudging the ball past Arubi to decide the match.
Egypt now turns their attention to a Group B meeting with South Africa in Agadir, while Zimbabwe travels to Marrakesh to face Angola.
