Captain delivered a moment of magic deep into stoppage time as Egypt fought back from behind to defeat Zimbabwe 2–1 in their opening match of the , securing maximum points in a tense Group encounter in Agadir.
The seven-time African champions were made to work hard for victory at the Stade d’Agadir, where a disciplined and spirited Zimbabwe side threatened to spoil Egypt’s start to the tournament. Despite dominating possession and territory for long spells, the Pharaohs found themselves trailing midway through the first half after a rare Zimbabwean attack produced a shock opening goal.
Egypt began the match with authority, controlling the tempo and pushing Zimbabwe deep into their own half. Salah, operating from the right flank, was heavily involved in Egypt’s early build-up play, while Omar Marmoush’s movement caused persistent problems for the Warriors’ back line. However, clear-cut chances were limited as Zimbabwe defended compactly and waited patiently for an opening.
That opening came in the 20th minute, stunning the Egyptian bench and fans alike. Zimbabwe midfielder Prince Dube capitalised on a lapse in concentration inside the Egyptian penalty area. Controlling the ball with composure, he spun away from his marker and calmly slotted a low finish past goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. The goal arrived firmly against the run of play and injected belief into Mario Marinica’s side.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, Zimbabwe grew in confidence and remained tactically disciplined. Their defensive shape frustrated Egypt, who struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances. Salah was often double-marked, while crosses into the box were dealt with efficiently by the Zimbabwean defence.
Omar Marmoush emerged as Egypt’s most dangerous attacking outlet in the first half. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward tested goalkeeper Washington Arubi with a fierce long-range effort that dipped sharply, forcing a strong save. Marmoush’s willingness to take on defenders and shoot from distance provided Egypt with urgency, but the equaliser proved elusive before the break.
Recognising the need for greater physical presence and sharper movement in attack, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan made a decisive tactical change before half-time. Eman Ashour was withdrawn and replaced by Mostafa Mohamed, a move designed to stretch Zimbabwe’s defence and create space for Marmoush to operate more centrally.
The adjustment gradually tilted the balance of the match in Egypt’s favour. The Pharaohs increased the tempo after the restart, pinning Zimbabwe back and recycling possession patiently. Salah drifted inside more frequently, linking up with midfield runners, while Mostafa Mohamed occupied defenders and created pockets of space.
Egypt’s persistence was rewarded shortly after the hour mark. Marmoush made a well-timed run into the left channel to collect a lofted pass, took one touch to steady himself and unleashed a thunderous strike that flew into the roof of the net. The equaliser lifted the pressure off Egypt and reignited their belief as the contest entered its final phase.
With the scores level, the match opened up. Zimbabwe continued to defend bravely but began to show signs of fatigue as Egypt pushed for a winner. Salah, largely quiet by his own high standards, remained a constant threat, drawing fouls and forcing Zimbabwe to remain alert until the final whistle.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time and the match appeared destined for a draw, Egypt’s talisman stepped forward. Salah received the ball on the edge of the area, shifted it onto his favoured foot and fired a precise low strike into the corner beyond Arubi’s reach. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Egyptian players and supporters, underlining the captain’s ability to deliver when it matters most.
The late winner sealed a perfect start for Egypt in their quest for a first Africa Cup of Nations title since 2010. More importantly, it reinforced the leadership role of Salah, whose influence extends beyond goals to inspiring belief within the squad during difficult moments.
For Zimbabwe, despite the defeat, the performance offered plenty of encouragement. Their organisation, discipline and resilience against one of the tournament favourites demonstrated that they are capable of competing at this level. Prince Dube’s goal was a reward for their patience and tactical commitment, even if they ultimately left the pitch empty-handed.
Egypt will now turn their attention to their next group fixture with renewed confidence, knowing that champions often need to overcome early tests. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in breaking down compact defences, the Pharaohs’ ability to grind out results remains one of their greatest strengths.
As the Africa Cup of Nations continues to deliver drama and excitement, Egypt’s late comeback victory serves as an early reminder of why they remain among the continent’s most feared sides — especially with Mohamed Salah leading the charge.
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