Mohamed Salah struck at the death to hand Egypt the perfect start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign as they came from behind to defeat Zimbabwe 2-1 in Agadir. The Pharaohs went behind to Prince Dube’s 20th-minute strike at the Stade Agadir, having dominated the early exchanges. The Warriors midfielder took the ball down beautifully in the Egyptian box before pirouetting and slotting beyond Mohamed El Shenawy. That goal came very much against the run of play, but Mario Marinica’s underdogs dug in and continued to assert themselves on one of the favourites for the tournament.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush was at the heart of everything good for Hossam Hassan’s side, and he tested the spirited Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi on a number of occasions, including with a rasping, dipping drive from range. Hassan shuffled his pack before the interval, hauling off attacking midfielder Eman Ashour for target man Mostafa Mohamed, who added physicality and presence up top, allowing Marmoush to drop into the No10 position and wreak havoc.
That he did in the second period, peeling into the left channel to latch onto a clipped ball over the top. He drove into the Zimbabwe box and crashed an equaliser into the roof of the net just after the hour to get the Pharaohs back on track. But of course, it was their talismanic captain Salah, who has been the subject of all the headlines coming out of the Premier League following his explosive interview a few weeks ago, who notched the winner, arrowing a strike into the corner beyond the hapless Arubi to break Zimbabwean hearts and get his country off to the perfect start as he hunts down a maiden AFCON title.
Egpyt vs Zimbabwe latest news
- GOAL! Salah strikes late for Pharaohs
- CLOSE! Zizo misses with header
- GOAL! Marmoush levels
- GOOD SAVE! Marmoush goes close with dipping effort
- GOAL! Dube opens scoring
FT: Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
21:56 , Oli GentThere we have it. Salah the saviour. Who'd have thought it. What a game to kick off the Pharaoh's AFCON.
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Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
21:53 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Five added minutes.
Goal! Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
21:51 , Oli Gent90+1 mins: There it is, and it had to be him! Salah at the death, and Egypt have won it! It squeezes past Arubi, and the Pharaohs snatch it.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:49 , Oli Gent90 mins: Close! Salah goes on a mazy run and feeds Zizo who runs onto it, but he curls over.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:46 , Oli Gent87 mins: Five minutes to go. Can Zimbabwe cling on for a point?
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:45 , Oli Gent85 mins: Close! Chiewa has his first real involvment as he goes for a speculative strike from range, but blasts it over the top.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:40 , Oli Gent80 mins: An apology from Adel as he blasts a shot wayward when he probably should have passed.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:37 , Oli Gent77 mins: Close! Salah - we’ve not said that name in a while - breaks in behind and looks to catch Arubi out with a surprise strike, but it’s over the top.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:33 , Oli Gent74 mins: What a chance! Another dreamy cross from Hamdy, and Zizo sneaks in at the far post but misses with the header!
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:31 , Oli Gent73 mins: Msendami and Dube come off for Zimbabwe, replaced by Chirewa and Padera.
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:29 , Oli Gent70 mins: Great chance! A floated cross into the middle which is met by Mohamed, who goes close with the near post header!
Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:26 , Oli Gent67 mins: Two changes for Egypt, with Zizo replacing Trezeguet and Ibrahim Adel on for Attia in midfield.
Goal! Egypt 1-1 Zimbabwe
21:23 , Oli Gent63 mins: Egypt are level, and it’s Marmoush. It was always going to be him, and what a run down the left. He speeds into the box and crashes one into the roof of the net.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:21 , Oli Gent61 mins: Close! Great vision from Dube, looking for Bonne in the channel. He goes for goal from the angle, but El Shenawy tips it wide.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:19 , Oli Gent59 mins: Close! Marmoush is really getting on the ball in dangerous areas now, and he twists and turns in the D before firing in a shot, which is deflected behind. The resulting corner is well cleared once more, however.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:16 , Oli Gent57 mins: Murwira gets a booking for time wasting as he dallies over taking a free kick.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:14 , Oli Gent56 mins: Great save! Marmoush has come alive and goes for the stabbed effort just inside the area. Arubi makes the stop, berating his defence for affording the forward too much space.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:13 , Oli Gent54 mins: A chance for Egypt to whip in a cross from the free kick as Marmoush teases one in, but it’s well cleared by the Zimbabweans.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:12 , Oli Gent52 mins: Close! A brilliant delivery from Hamdy down the left in towards Mohamed, who can’t divert it goalwards on the stretch!
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:08 , Oli Gent50 mins: A strong start from Egypt in this second half. They’re all over the Zimbabweans like a rash.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
21:05 , Oli Gent47 mins: Macaulay Bonne is on for Zimbabwe up top.
Kick off!
21:04 , Oli Gent46 mins: We’re back underway.
HT: Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:48 , Oli GentThere’s the interval, and what a story we’ve got unfolding here.
What will the second half have in store?
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:45 , Oli Gent45+2 mins: Four added minutes.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:45 , Oli Gent45 mins: Trezeguet is booked for diving as he clamours for a penalty. Murwira makes the challenge, but the referee deems it simulation.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:41 , Oli Gent42 mins: Nsendami knocked over by Fathy. Free kick, Zimbabwe.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:38 , Oli Gent39 mins: Great save! It comes out for Marmoush from distance, and he has a crack! Arubi makes an acrobatic save to keep out the dipping effort.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:38 , Oli Gent37 mins: Egypt are hammering on the Zimbabwean door now in search of that equaliser...
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:34 , Oli Gent36 mins: Mohamed’s introduction means that Egypt now have more presence up top. It allows Marmoush more time on the ball and a target to hit in the box and final third.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:34 , Oli Gent34 mins: A first change as Attia is shown a yellow card for a late challenge.
Egypt have made a substitution, with Ashour replced by Mostafa Mohamed, and Marmoush is moved back into the No10 position.
Ashour isn’t happy.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:33 , Oli Gent32 mins: Msendami is causing all kinds of problems down the Zimbabwe left. The Warriors are looking to give him the ball at every opportunity.
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:29 , Oli Gent29 mins: Zimbabwe are looking dangerous after weathering the early Egypt storm. They do need to remember who they’re playing though and not get too overconfident...
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:25 , Oli Gent26 mins: Good save! A real scare for Egypt as Zimbabwe come so close to a second. Excellent work down the right El Shenawy is called into action at point blank range from Msendami and Navaya!
Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:24 , Oli Gent24 mins: A long night for Hadebe as Marmoush and Salah combine down the right, but Marmoush gets the cross-shot wrong.
Goal! Egypt 0-1 Zimbabwe
20:21 , Oli Gent21 mins: It’s Zimbabwe! It’s Prince Dube who notches, breaking into the box with a lovely touch and pirouette, before slotting beyond El Shenawy!
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:20 , Oli Gent20 mins: A lively start from both sides, but it is Egypt who are having the better of the opening moments. Who will break the deadlock first?
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:17 , Oli Gent17 mins: Hossam clears at the near post with an authoritative header. Egypt break, and retain possession.
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:16 , Oli Gent16 mins: Corner, Zimbabwe. A better stint for the Warriors as a speculative strike from range from Dube cannons off an Egyptian body and goes behind.
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:12 , Oli Gent13 mins: Close! Another chance for Egypt, who are all over their opponents in these opening exchanges. Salah delivers another delicate ball, with Ashour getting on the end of it, but it’s wide!
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:09 , Oli Gent9 mins: Close! The ball breaks for Salah in the box as Egypt sweep forward once more, but it’s well blocked by Takwara!
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:08 , Oli Gent8 mins: The first yellow of the evening as Navaya is cautioned for an elbow.
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:07 , Oli Gent7 mins: What a chance! Salah is in acres of space down the right and can pick out a cross, lofting it in for Trezeguet coming in at the back post! Arubi is equal to it and claws it out!
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:05 , Oli Gent6 mins: Hamdy chips one over the top after the corner is worked short, but Zimbabwe clear well.
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:05 , Oli Gent5 mins: Close! Ashour ghosts into the box and looks for the dinked finish over Arubi, but he’s snuffed out by Garan’anga. He’s claiming a handball, and Egypt have a corner.
Egypt 0-0 Zimbabwe
20:03 , Oli Gent4 mins: First involvement from Marmoush and Salah, with the star duo looking to link up after a mix-up in the Zimbabwean midfield. Hadebe does well to nick in front of Salah to cut out the danger.
Kick off!
20:00 , Oli Gent1 min: We’re underway in Agadir.
Five minute warning
19:55 , Oli GentThe players are out, and it’s time for the anthems.
Ten minutes to go!
19:50 , Oli GentWho will win this one?
Egypt lineup
19:40 , Oli GentFor those that missed it...
Egypt XI: M. El Shenawy; Hany, Abdelmaguid, Ibrahim, Hamdy; Attia, Fathi; Salah, Ashour, Trezeguet; Marmoush
Subs: Zizo, Mohamed, Mohsen, Sobhy, Shehata, Faisal, Fathi, Eid, Adel, Lasheen, Saber, A. El Shenawy
Salah's situation explained
19:30 , Oli GentHow about more on what’s going with Salah at Liverpool?
Zimbabwe lineup
19:20 , Oli GentZimbabwe XI: Arubi; Murwira, Garan’anga, Takwara, Hadebe; Nakamba; Jalai, Fabisch, Dube, Mesndami; Navaya
Subs: Antonio, Padera, Chipezeze, Chakuchichi, Galloway, Lunga, Maswanhise, Mudimu, Fusire, Chirewa, Musona, Zindoga, Bonne, Wadi, Mauchi
Salah starts!
19:10 , Oli GentThe talisman is off the right as expected. Omar Marmoush is through the middle, and Trezeguet is on the left. Some front three.
Egypt lineup
19:03 , Oli Gent🚨 LE XI DE L’ÉGYPTE POUR LE 1ER MATCH DE CAN FACE AU ZIMBABWE ! 🇪🇬🇿🇼
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) December 22, 2025
🧤 Contrairement aux rumeurs, El Shenawy est bien titulaire (sans commentaires).
Marmoush est aligné en pointe et Trezeguet prend le couloir gauche. #EGYZIM | #CAN2025 pic.twitter.com/94JPX5Cu1b
South Africa vs Angola live!
18:50 , Oli GentThe other game in Group B is happening right now, as South Africa take on Angola.
Egypt vs Zimbabwe odds
18:40 , Oli GentEgypt to win: 3/10
Zimbabwe to win: 12/1
Draw: 7/2
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
What's going on with Salah?
18:30 , Oli GentMohamed Salah was at odds with his club Liverpool before he left for AFCON duty.
He gave a bombshell interview after the Reds’ draw at Leeds a few weeks ago, but have things blown over?
Head to head
18:20 , Oli GentEgypt have won the last six meetings with Zimbabwe, including a Group A showdown at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Egypt wins: 9
Zimbabwe wins: 2
Draws: 4
Standard Sport prediction
18:10 , Oli GentThe first game at a tournament is all about getting a result rather than the performance. Egypt are heavy favourites for this match, so will be a case of guarding against complacency.
Salah will likely be the centre of attention and we expect the forward to lead his nation to victory.
Egypt to win, 2-0.
Zimbabwe team news
18:00 , Oli GentZimbabwe have former Everton defender Brendan Galloway in their ranks, while midfielder Knowledge Musona is the main goalscoring threat.
Egypt team news
17:50 , Oli GentSalah is expected to start, and captain Egypt, despite his lack of minutes for Liverpool in recent weeks. He is likely to be joined in attack by Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
Mohamed El-Shenawy and Ahmed El-Shenawy are battling for the right to start in goal, with the former likely to be given the nod due to his experience.
How to watch
17:40 , Oli GentTV channel: Every match of the tournament will be broadcast across Channel 4’s network.
The game will be broadcast on 4seven, with coverage starting at 7.55pm GMT ahead of kick-off at 8pm.
Live stream: UK viewers will be able to stream the game on All 4 and Channel 4 Sport YouTube.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Egypt’s opening AFCON game against Zimbabwe.
Mohamed Salah and his compatriots begin their campaign in Agadir.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm GMT.
