Egypt survived a scare as they fought from down to beat Zimbabwe in their opening group B game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mo Salah scored a late winner after Omar Marmoush had found the equaliser to hand the Pharaohs a hard fought 2-1 win in Agadir.
Zimbabwe Wariors took a shocking lead through Prince Dube in the 20th minute – The Young Africans forward collected from Jordan Jalai before his effort eluded Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
Despite their dominance, Egypt’s equaliser came after the hour-mark thanks to Marmoush who after surging through from the left, directed a ferocious effort with his right foot from a tight angle that roofed into the net.
Egypt continued to ask questions, but frustration continued and Zimbabwe grew in confidence as the game progressed.
Mo Salah who had been kept quiet for much of the contest, picked his moment in the added time, to deliver the final blow.
The Liverpool forward who received backlash back in England for his comments after he was left on the bench against Leeds United, controlled superbly inside the area, before firing in off balance.
It was a deserved win for the record champions who have not tested AFCON triumph since 2010.
With players like Mo Salah, who are expected to be playing in their final AFCON tournament, the Pharaohs will hope exorcise past demons to return to the table of men!
Next up is a tough one against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Friday, with Hugo Broos’ side joint top after a hard fought win over Angola in Group B opener.