AFCON 2025: Egypt Coach Relieved to Escape Zimbabwe Embarrassment After Salah and Marmoush Deliver Opening Win
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Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to save Egypt from an embarrassing draw against Zimbabwe, securing a 2-1 victory in their Africa Cup of Nations opener on Monday.
The Pharaohs, seven-time AFCON champions, were frustrated for much of the match by a resilient Zimbabwean side ranked 129th in the world. Goalkeeper Washington Arubi delivered an outstanding performance, denying Egypt on multiple occasions in the coastal city of Agadir.
Despite Egypt's dominance, it was Zimbabwe who struck first. In the 20th minute, Prince Dube expertly controlled a cross from Emmanuel Jalai, spun past his defender, and flicked the ball beyond goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy to give the underdogs a stunning lead.
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Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, made an early tactical change, substituting a tearful Emam Ashour in the 33rd minute. The favourites piled on the pressure, but Arubi stood firm, tipping a fierce shot from Omar Marmoush over the bar. Efforts from Salah, Trezeguet, and Mostafa Mohamed were all blocked before halftime.
Egypt Coach Laments Lack of Luck
The breakthrough finally came in the 64th minute when Marmoush found the net from a tight angle to level the score. Just as it seemed Zimbabwe had earned a hard-fought point, Salah, captaining the side, fired a low shot into the bottom corner in the dying moments of the game.
"We wasted several scoring chances and we didn't have luck on our side," said Egypt coach Hossam Hassan. "That's football. We were the better team throughout the match. Opening games are always difficult."
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The victory sets up a tantalizing top-of-the-table clash in Group B between Egypt and South Africa on Friday.
In the group's other fixture, South Africa also secured a 2-1 win over Angola in Marrakesh. Burnley striker Lyle Foster was the hero for Bafana Bafana, scoring the decisive goal in the 79th minute after a period of second-half dominance.
Oswin Appollis had given the 2024 bronze medallists an early lead, but Angola equalised through Show before the break.
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