Egypt kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 campaign with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe, courtesy of a last-minute strike from superstar forward Mohamed Salah. Facing the 129th-ranked FIFA team, Egypt, ranked 35th, were pushed to the brink before claiming the crucial three points.
The Group B encounter, held at Morocco’s Adrar Stadium on Monday night, saw Egypt dominate possession and launch numerous attacks from the outset. However, it was Zimbabwe who drew first blood in the 20th minute through Prince Dube, putting the Pharaohs on the back foot early in the match.
Determined to overturn the deficit, Egypt mounted wave after wave of attacks. Yet, Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, was in sensational form, making nine saves throughout the match and keeping his side competitive until the second half.
Egypt eventually equalised in the 64th minute thanks to a composed finish by Omar Marmoush. Despite creating several further chances, the Egyptian forwards could not break the deadlock during regular time. The match appeared destined for a draw until stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Mustafa Mahmoud delivered a precise cross from the right, which Salah expertly converted with a low shot, securing a dramatic victory for Egypt.
This win propelled Egypt to the top of Group B standings, giving them an early advantage in the tournament. In the other Group B fixture, South Africa defeated Angola 2-1, setting up a highly anticipated clash between Egypt and South Africa on Friday night.
Match Statistics:
| Statistic | Egypt | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| Total Shots | 35 | 8 |
| Shots on Target | 12 | 3 |
| Possession (%) | 64 | 36 |
| Saves | 1 | 9 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 3 |
Egypt’s performance, particularly their resilience and attacking persistence, highlighted their determination to reclaim continental glory. Salah’s decisive goal not only delivered the win but also underlined his status as one of Africa’s premier talents, capable of influencing games at the very last moment.
With the victory, Egypt now turns their attention to South Africa, aiming to consolidate their top spot in Group B and build momentum for the knockout stages. The Pharaohs’ fans will hope that this dramatic start marks the beginning of a successful campaign in the tournament.
