Softfootball understands that Egypt were made to work far harder than expected in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game, eventually squeezing past a stubborn Zimbabwe side 2–1 thanks to a dramatic late winner from Mohamed Salah.
The win leaves Egypt level on points and goal difference with South Africa, who defeated Angola 2–1 earlier today.
Egypt celebrated this historic victory via their official X account.
View the post below:
For the first 15 to 20 minutes, Egypt controlled almost everything. Possession, territory, tempo. Salah was pulling the strings early on, driving forward and swinging dangerous balls into the box.
One curling cross picked out Trézéguet, whose header had to be tipped onto the bar by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi. Not long after, another Salah delivery found Emam Ashour free, but the midfielder couldn’t keep his volley down. It felt like a goal was coming, just not yet.
Zimbabwe, though, had other ideas. On one of their few attacks in the first half, Emmanuel Jalai floated a hopeful ball into the area. Prince Dube read it perfectly, controlled it beautifully, and calmly slipped the ball past Ahmed El Shenawy. Against the run of play, Egypt was behind, and suddenly the match had a very different feel.
The pharaohs reacted with urgency but little luck. Omar Marmoush tested Arubi with a powerful long-range effort, while Salah fired over from the edge of the box just before the break. The pressure was there, but the finish was missing, and frustration started to show.
After halftime, Egypt pushed even higher. The equaliser eventually came simply. A long ball released Marmoush down the left flank, and the Manchester City forward powered forward before smashing his shot into the roof of the net. It was deserved, though Zimbabwe didn’t crumble.
The Warriors defended deep and stubbornly, throwing bodies in the way and slowing the game whenever possible. Egypt had chances to win it earlier. Zizo, off the bench, headed well over from close range after a lovely Mohamed Hamdy cross. Even Salah and Marmoush missed opportunities they usually bury, which felt strange.
As stoppage time approached, Zimbabwe was moments away from claiming a historic point. Then Salah, whom Liverpool’s manager recently said is now fully focused on AFCON, stepped up. The ball fell inside the box, and from around 10 yards out, he finished with trademark composure.
Zimbabwe leave with heads held high. Egypt moves on, grateful, and maybe a little warned too.
