Mohamed Salah scored an injury-time winner as Egypt kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-earned victory against Zimbabwe.
The Pharaohs dominated from the start but squandered several chances through a mix of poor finishing and selfish play, before Zimbabwe stunned them.
Emmanuel Jalai broke down the right and drilled in a low cross to pick out Prince Dube, who had time and space inside the box to take a touch and sweep a low finish into the bottom-right corner beyond Mohamed El Shenawy.
Egypt kept pushing for an equaliser and had most of the possession, but the final ball again let them down as Zimbabwe held firm.
After the break, Omar Marmoush latched on to a long pass from Ahmed Hamdi on the left, before surging into the box and firing in from a tight angle to bring Egypt level.
Egypt had to wait until stoppage time to complete the turnaround. Salah collected the ball inside the area after a header from Mostafa Mohamed, and was fortunate to see his shot squeeze past the goalkeeper.
With South Africa beating Angola earlier in the day, they share top spot with Egypt, and the pair meet on Friday.
In the end, it was a positive start for Hossam Hassan, who is under immense pressure to deliver Egypt’s first AFCON title since 2010, but tougher tests certainly lie ahead. He will need to find solutions to the team’s defensive frailties, while hoping that his front line be sharper in front of goal.
Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco 25
Date: 22 December 2025
Venue: Adrar Stadium
City: Agadir, Morocco
Attendance: 28,199
Egypt (2)
Zimbabwe (1)
0-1 Prince Dube 20′
1-1 Omar Marmoush 64′
1-2 Mohamed Salah 90+1
Egypt
Mohamed El Shenawy
Mohamed Hamdy
Ahmed Fatouh 82′
Yasser Ibrahim
Hossam Abdelmaguid
Mohamed Hany
Hamdi Fathi
Marwan Attia
Ibrahim Adel 66′
Trezeguet
Zizo 67′
Emam Ashour
Mostafa Mohamed 34′
Mohamed Salah
Omar Marmoush
Zimbabwe
Washington Arubi
Teenage Hadebe
Gerald Takwara
Munashe Garan’anga
Godknows Murwira
Marvelous Nakamba
Daniel Msendami
Prosper Padera 72′
Prince Dube
Tawanda Chirewa 72′
Jonah Fabisch
Emmanuel Jalai
Tawanda Maswanhise 88′
Washington Navaya
Macauley Bonne 46′
Referee
Issa Sy (Senegal)
Yellow Cards
Marwan Attiya (EGY)
Trezeguet (EGY)
Washington Navaya (ZIM)
Godknows Murwira (ZIM)
