Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe: Summary, outcome, goals as Salah nets last-minute winner for Pharaohs at AFCON 2025
Mohamed Salah delivered a decisive 91st-minute goal as Egypt overcame Zimbabwe to secure a full three points in their first match of AFCON 2025.
Salah’s contribution came after Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush netted an equalizer in the second half, following Prince Dube’s unexpected opening goal for Zimbabwe before halftime.
Egypt, regarded as one of the leading contenders to win the tournament in Morocco, had maintained an unbeaten streak against Zimbabwe for over 30 years. The two Premier League talents ensured that record stayed intact, allowing them to share the top of Group B with South Africa, who had previously triumphed over Angola.
Attention was focused on captain Salah, who endured a challenging few weeks at Liverpool following his remarks after their 3-3 draw with Leeds on December 6.
The 33-year-old played a role in creating the match’s initial opportunity. From a curling cross sent in by Salah to the far post, Mahmoud Trezeguet’s header was on target, but Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi skillfully deflected the ball away.
Moments later, Emam Ashour had a chance to score but sent the ball wide from eight yards.
However, in the 20th minute, Zimbabwe took the lead against the run of play, with Dube striking into the bottom corner after turning sharply in the box.
Egypt was taken aback. Just five minutes afterward, a mistake from goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy nearly allowed Washington Navaya to double the score by tapping the ball into an open net.
Marmoush aimed to get the 2006 champions back in the contest, trying a couple of shots.
The Manchester City player succeeded shortly after the hour mark. Right-back Godknows Murwira lost focus at a crucial moment, permitting Marmoush to break free, and he capitalized by firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Following that, Egypt dominated play. Zizo had a splendid chance to complete the comeback but headed over from just four yards.
Yet just when it seemed they might miss out on victory, Salah appeared in the 91st minute, executing a swift turn and firing a left-footed shot into the net, igniting celebrations on the Egypt bench.
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Egypt team vs Zimbabwe
Omar Marmoush spearheaded the attack for Egypt, while veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy may be participating in his final Africa Cup of Nations after a successful career that includes numerous continental trophies with Al Ahly.
Egypt’s starting XI: Mohamed El Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Hamdi Fathy, Trezeguet, Omar Marmoush
Egypt substitutes: Ahmed El Shenawy, Khaled Sobhy, Rami Rabia, Salah Mohsen, Mostafa Mohamed, Ahmed Abou El Fotouh, Mohamed Shehata, Mohanad Lasheen, Mostafa Fathi, Ibrahim Adel, Osama Faisal, Ahmed Eid, Zizo, Mostafa Shobeir, Mahmoud Saber
Zimbabwe team vs Egypt
Zimbabwe was missing Walter Musona, who scored twice during the qualification rounds. Knowledge Musona, the experienced forward with 26 international goals, started from the bench.
Zimbabwe’s starting XI: Washington Arubi, Godknows Murwira, Munashe Garan’anga, Gerald Takwara, Teenage Hadebe, Emmanuel Jalai, Jonah Fabisch, Marvelous Nakamba, Prince Dube, Daniel Msendami, Washington Navaya
Zimbabwe substitutes: Elvis Chipezeze, Sean Fusire, Divine Lunga, Prosper Padera, Macauley Bonne, Bill Antonio, Brendan Galloway, Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Maswanhise, Tawanda Chirewa, Isheanesu Mauchi, Alec Mudimu, Ishmael Wadi, Junior Zindoga, Tadiwa Chakuchichi
How to watch AFCON 2025: TV channel, live online stream
In the UK, AFCON 2025 can be viewed live on Channel 4’s 4seven, All 4 and their YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports serves as the tournament broadcaster.
Live streaming options are available across a wide array of devices via the Channel 4 website and app as well as the beIN Sports app.
Egypt AFCON 2025 squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhy (Zamalek).
Defenders: Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly), Ahmed Eid (Al Masry), Ramy Rabia (Al Ain), Khaled Sobhi (Al Masry), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Mohamed Ismail (Zamalek), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids), Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek).
Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Hamdi Fathy (Al Wakrah), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Mahmoud Saber (Zed), Mohamed Shehata (Zamalek), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Zizo (Al Ahly), Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Al Jazira), Mostafa Fathi (Pyramids).
Forwards: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes), Salah Mohsen (Al Masry), Osama Faisal (Al Ahly Bank).
Zimbabwe AFCON 2025 squad
Goalkeepers: Washington Arubi (Marumo Gallants), Elvis Chipezeze (Magesi), Martin Mapisa (MWOS FC).
Defenders: Godknows Murwira (Scottland), Emmanuel Jalai (Dynamos FC), Sean Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Munashe Garananga (FC Copenhagen), Gerald Takwara (Al Ittihad Misurata), Isheanesu Mauchi (Simba Bhora), Brendon Galloway (Plymouth Argyle), Teenage Hadebe (FC Cincinnati), Alec Mudimu (Flint Town United), Divine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders: Marvelous Nakamba (Luton Town), Jonah Fabisch (Erzgebirg Aue), Andy Rinomhota (Reading), Prosper Padera (SJK Seinajoki), Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Knowledge Musona (Scottland)
Forwards: Bill Antonio (KV Mechelen), Ishmael Wadi (CAPS United), Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell), Daniel Msendami (Marumo Gallants), Prince Dube (Young Africans), Washington Navaya (TelOne FC), Macauley Bonne (Maldon & Tiptree), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi (Scottland).
What are the host cities for AFCON 2025?
Agadir – Grand Stade d’Agadir (capacity – 41,144)
Casablanca – Complexe Sportif Mohammed V (45,000)
Fes – Complexe Sportif de Fes (35,468)
Marrakech – Grand Stade de Marrakech (41,245)
Rabat – Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (69,500)
Rabat – Stade Al Barid (18,000)
Rabat – Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah (21,000)
Rabat – Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay EL Hassan (22,000)
Tangier – Grand Stade de Tanger (75,600)
AFCON 2025 fixtures, full Africa Cup of Nations schedule
Sunday, December 21 2025
Group A: Morocco 2-0 Comoros (Rabat)
Monday, December 22 2025
Group A: Mali 1-1 Zambia (Casablanca)
Group B: South Africa vs Angola (Marrakech, 17:00)
Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe (Agadir, 20:00)
Tuesday, December 23 2025
Group D: Senegal vs Botswana (Tangier, 12:30)
Group D: DR Congo vs Benin (Rabat, 15:00)
Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Fes, 17:30)
Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda (Rabat, 20:00)
Wednesday, December 24 2025
Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea (Casablanca, 12:30)
Group E: Algeria vs Sudan (Rabat, 15:00)
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Marrakech, 17:30)
Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon (Agadir, 20:00)
Friday, December 26 2025
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe (Marrakech, 12:30)
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa (Agadir, 15:00)
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros (Casablanca, 17:30)
Group A: Morocco vs Mali (Rabat, 20:00)
Saturday, December 27 2025
Group D: Benin vs Botswana (Rabat, 12:30)
Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo (Tangier, 15:00)
Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania (Rabat 3, 17:30)
Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Fes, 20:00)
Sunday, December 28 2025
Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique (Agadir, 12:30)
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan (Casablanca, 15:00)
Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Rabat, 17:30)
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon, (Marrakech, 20:00)
Monday, December 29 2025
Group B: Angola vs Egypt (Agadir, 16:00)
Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Marrakech, 16:00)
Group A: Comoros vs Mali (Casablanca, 19:00)
Group A: Zambia vs Morocco (Rabat, 19:00)
Tuesday, December 30 2025
Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia (Rabat, 16:00)
Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria (Fes, 16:00)
Group D: Benin vs Senegal (Tangier, 19:00)
Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo (Rabat, 19:00)
Wednesday, December 31 2025
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria (Rabat, 16:00)
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso (Casablanca, 16:00)
Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Marrakech, 19:00)
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon (Agadir, 19:00)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 round of 16
Saturday, January 3 2026
SR1: Group D winners vs Group B/E/F third-place (Tangier, 16:00)
SR2: Group A runners-up vs Group C runners-up (Casablanca, 19:00)
Sunday, January 4
SR3: Group A winners vs Group C/D/E third-place (Rabat, 16:00)
SR4: Group B runners-up vs Group F runners-up (Rabat, 19:00)
Monday, January 5
SR5: Group B winners vs Group A/C/D third-place (Agadir, 18:00)
SR6: Group C winners vs Group A/B/F third-place (Fes, 20:30)
Tuesday, January 6
SR7: Group E winners vs Group D runners-up (Rabat, 18:00)
SR8: Group F winners vs Group E runners-up (Marrakech, 20:30)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-finals
Friday, January 9
QF1: Winner SR2 vs Winner SR1 (Tangier, 16:00)
QF2: Winner SR4 vs Winner SR3 (Rabat, 19:00)
Saturday, January 10
QF3: Winner SR7 vs Winner SR6 (Marrakech, 16:00)
QF4: Winner SR5 vs Winner SR8 (Agadir, 19:00)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi-finals
Wednesday, January 14
SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 (Tangier, 17:00)
SF2: Winner QF3 vs Winner QF2 (Rabat, 20:00)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 third-place match
Saturday, January 17
SF1 vs SF2 losers (Casablanca, 16:00)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final
Sunday, January 18
SF1 vs SF2 winners (Rabat, 19:00)
Published: 2025-12-22 22:10:00
source: www.101greatgoals.com
