2025 AFCON: Egypt Snatch Dramatic 2-1 Win Over Zimbabwe

The Egyptian national team secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday evening at Adrar Stadium in Morocco, in the opening round of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.

Zimbabwe took the lead in the 20th minute through Prince Dube, capitalizing on a defensive mistake. 

Egypt continued to push for an equalizer, which finally came in the 63rd minute when Omar Marmoush scored after a brilliant individual effort. 

In the second minute of stoppage time, Mohamed Salah sealed the win with a decisive goal, giving the Pharaohs all three points.

Egypt missed several clear chances early in the match. 

Emam Ashour squandered an opportunity in the 3rd minute after receiving a pass from Trezeguet inside the penalty area, while Salah missed another chance in the 8th minute.

Ashour also failed to convert a one-on-one opportunity in the 11th minute following a pass from Salah.

Against the run of play, Zimbabwe opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Prince Dube took advantage of an error by defender Hossam Abdelmagid to beat goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy. 

Zimbabwe nearly doubled their lead four minutes later, but El Shenawy made a crucial save.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan made his first substitution in the 33rd minute, bringing on Mostafa Mohamed for Emam Ashour in an attempt to change the course of the game. 

The first half ended with Zimbabwe leading 1–0.

In the second half, Egypt increased the pressure. Marmoush tested the Zimbabwe goalkeeper early on, while Mostafa Mohamed missed a clear chance in the 53rd minute.

Marmoush eventually scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute with a powerful shot after dribbling past several defenders.

Two minutes later, Hossam Hassan introduced Ahmed Mostafa Zizo and Ibrahim Adel, replacing Trezeguet and Marwan Attia. 

Zizo narrowly missed scoring in the 73rd minute with a header that went wide. 

An injury forced another change in the 82nd minute, with Ahmed Fattouh replacing Mohamed Hamdy.

In the 92nd minute, Mohamed Salah scored the winning goal after controlling the ball inside the penalty area and finishing calmly into the net, securing a dramatic 2–1 victory for Egypt.