Mohamed Salah places Liverpool controversy behind him with dramatic winner in opposition to Zimbabwe of their AFCON opener.
Revealed On 23 Dec 2025
Mohamed Salah snatched a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Egypt got here from behind to beat Zimbabwe 2-1 of their first fixture on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco on Monday.
Egypt’s captain, beginning his first recreation after 4 successive matches on the bench at Liverpool, fired dwelling a left-footed effort within the 91st minute to earn the seven-time champions a late victory after Zimbabwe had shocked them by going forward within the first half.
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Egypt laid an early siege to Zimbabwe’s objective, nevertheless it was the underdogs who netted first by way of Prince Dube within the twentieth minute.
It was left to Egypt’s Premier League contingent of Omar Marmoush, who equalised within the sixty fourth minute, and talisman Salah to see them to a last-gasp victory.
Salah had come into the event in Morocco beneath the highlight following a fiery outburst after being dropped by the Premier League champions, and struggled to search out his rhythm for many of the match on the Grande Stade d’Agadir. When it counted, nonetheless, he swept dwelling the winner to see Egypt be a part of South Africa, who beat Angola 2-1 earlier in Marrakesh, on the high of Group B.
It was as a lot as Egypt deserved, breaking a run of six successive attracts during the last two editions of the Cup of Nations.
That they had 4 good probabilities within the opening 10 minutes as they put Zimbabwe beneath intense strain however fell behind when Emmanuel Jalai fed the ball inside for Dube, who turned in possession and positioned his effort into the underside left nook.
It may have been 2-0 as Daniel Msendami’s tempo arrange a scrambled likelihood for Washington Navaya that Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy managed to assemble earlier than it may be bundled over the road.
Marmoush sole impact
Marmoush equalised within the sixty fourth minute, selecting up an extended cross on the left wing earlier than reducing inside and firing dwelling together with his proper foot from an acute angle for an excellent solo objective.
“We created many probabilities with out having the ability to rating early, however in the long run all the things went nicely,” Marmoush stated.
“We saved a great mindset and completed the match strongly. We are going to study from all the things that occurred in tonight’s recreation.”
Substitute Ahmed Zizo ought to have headed dwelling on the again put up from Mohamed Hamdy’s inviting cross however put his effort broad, and missed once more 4 minutes from the top when Salah teed him up with a great likelihood.
It was left to Salah to safe the three factors, holding off his marker to deliver the ball beneath management earlier than steering it dwelling for his first objective since early final month.
Within the subsequent set of Group B fixtures, Egypt meet South Africa in Agadir on Boxing Day whereas Zimbabwe and Angola conflict on Friday in Marrakesh.
