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 African Cup of Nations.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
2-1
Match Report
Mohamed Salah scored a stoppage-time winner as Egypt came from behind to launch their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Zimbabwe.
The Liverpool forward was the hero for the Pharaohs, after Omar Marmoush cancelled out Prince Dube's first-half effort in the Group B clash in Agadir.
Zimbabwe, who have never progressed beyond the competition's group stages, took a surprise lead in the 20th minute, with Dube controlling Emmanuel Jalai's cross and slotting home.
Egypt survived a scare soon after when Washington Navaya almost turned into an empty net, while Washington Arubi twice denied Marmoush at the other end.
However, the Manchester City forward drew the seven-time champions level in the 63rd minute, cutting in from the left and firing into the roof of the net.
Egypt substitute Zizo squandered a golden opportunity when he nodded over from four yards out 10 minutes later.
Yet, in the first minute of stoppage time, Salah controlled a ball into the box before beating Arubi on the turn to ensure a winning start for Egypt.
#egyptnt pic.twitter.com/gLVOpIAlHi
— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) December 22, 2025
Data Debrief: Zimbabwe set unwanted record
Making a record 27th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt are now unbeaten in their last 11 matches in the tournament.
The Pharaohs have won all three of their meetings with Zimbabwe in the competition, having also prevailed when they clashed in 2004 and 2019.
Zimbabwe have failed to register a clean sheet in any of their 16 Africa Cup of Nations matches, the longest streak by any team in the tournament.
And while Salah has endured a difficult season at Liverpool, he is still undoubtedly Egypt's main man. He had a team-leading four shots and also created six chances.
Line-ups
Egypt XI: Mohamed El Shenawy, Salah, Trezeguet, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Hamdi, Hamdy Fathy, Omar Marmoush, Emam Ashour, Marwan Ateya, Hossam Abdelmaguid
Subs: Ahmed El Shenawy, Ramy Rabia, Mostafa Fathi, Zizo, Mostafa Mohamed, Salah Mohsen, Ahmed Fatouh, Mohanad Lasheen, Khaled Sobhi, Oufa Shobeir, Mahmoud Saber, Ibrahim Adel, Mohamed Shehata, Ahmed Eid, Osama Faisal
Zimbabwe XI: Washington Arubi, Nakamba, Teenage Hadebe, Prince Dube, Godknows Murwira, Jonah Fabisch, gerald takwara, Munashe Garananga, Daniel Msendami, Emmanuel Jalai, Washington Navaya
Subs: Knowledge Musona, Brendan Galloway, Alec Mudimu, Macauley Bonne, Elvis Chipezeze, Divine Lunga, Junior Zindoga, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Ishmael Wadi, Bill Antonio, Sean Fusire, Tapuwanashe Chakuchichi, isheanesu mauchi, Prosper Padera