Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scored a stoppage-time winner as Egypt opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe.Â
The record seven-time winners required a comeback to ensure their tournament got off to a winning start on Monday evening.
After Prince Dube’s opener for Zimbabwe on 20 minutes, Egypt trailed at the break. However, a second-half equaliser from Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush and Salah’s late winner sealed the win.
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) December 22, 2025
Egypt are aiming to win a first Africa Cup of Nations since the third of three consecutive successes in 2010. Salah has never previously won the continental competition, twice losing finals in 2017 and 2021.
The 33-year-old heads into the tournament in the spotlight, following a fallout with Liverpool head coach Arne Slot. Salah was dropped from the squad to face Inter Milan earlier this month after public criticism of the club, following a spell out of the team.
He returned to the side as a substitute against Brighton on December 13th, before linking up with Egypt at AFCON.
The Pharaohs next face South Africa, who beat Angola in the group’s other opening fixture, on Boxing Day.
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