Salah helps Egypt break Zimbabwe hearts
by KickOff Reporter · KickOffEgypt rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener in Group B on Monday evening.
Mohamed Salah, Trezeguet and Omar Marmoush started for the Pharaohs' attack, while Marumo Gallants FC duo Washington Arubi and Daniel Msendami featured for the Warriors.
Arubi proved key ten minutes in and shifted across his near post to keep out a powerful header from Marmoush following Salah’s cross-field delivery.
Egypt’s strong start was shattered as the Warriors broke the deadlock on 20 minutes against the run of play through a neat finish into the bottom-corner by Prince Dube.
Msendami looked to double the lead after getting a shot in from the right after five minutes, but the Pharaohs shot-stopper Mohamed El Shenawy was able to make the save. Soon after,
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan changed approach amidst trailing after 33 minutes and removed Emam Ashour to bring on Mostafa Mohamed. Soon after, Marmoush nearly got the leveller ten minutes to halftime, but superb piece of goalkeeping by Arubi kept Zimbabwe in the lead.
Marmoush remained a crucial for the Pharaohs after the break and his toe-poke attempt outside the area drew Arubi to a low outstretched save.
The Warriors were breached in the 64th minute as Marmoush charged in on the wide of the area and cut-inside to power into the top corner.
Egypt got a perfect opening to go ahead ten minutes later through a header at the back-post, but Zizo arrowed over with the goal in sight with time running out.
However, Salah aided Egypt to victory a minute into added time when he beat Hadebe to a ball in the area and calmly fired into the bottom-corner, as it finished 2-1 in Agadir.