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 sport after 4 successive matches on the bench at Liverpool, fired residence a left-footed effort within the 91st minute to earn the seven-time champions a late victory after Zimbabwe had surprised them by going forward within the first half.
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Egypt laid an early siege to Zimbabwe’s aim, but it surely was the underdogs who netted first by 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 seek out his rhythm for a lot of the match on the Grande Stade d’Agadir. When it counted, nevertheless, he swept residence the winner to see Egypt be a part of South Africa, who beat Angola 2-1 earlier in Marrakesh, on the prime of Group B.
It was as a lot as Egypt deserved, breaking a run of six successive attracts over the past two editions of the Cup of Nations.
That they had 4 good probabilities within the opening 10 minutes as they put Zimbabwe beneath intense stress 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 move on the left wing earlier than chopping inside and firing residence together with his proper foot from an acute angle for an excellent solo aim.
“We created many probabilities with out with the ability to rating early, however ultimately every little thing went nicely,” Marmoush stated.
“We stored an excellent mindset and completed the match strongly. We’ll be taught from every little thing that occurred in tonight’s sport.”
Substitute Ahmed Zizo ought to have headed residence on the again put up from Mohamed Hamdy’s inviting cross however put his effort broad, and missed once more 4 minutes from the tip when Salah teed him up with an excellent 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 residence for his first aim 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.