Mohamed Salah produced a signature captain’s moment deep into stoppage time to complete Egypt’s comeback and secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations opener in Morocco on Monday.
The Pharaohs arrived as clear favourites, but they were forced to work the hard way for their three points after Zimbabwe shocked them with a first-half lead. Egypt dominated possession for long spells, moved the ball with intent, and repeatedly looked to Salah as their main spark, yet the final pass and finishing touch didn’t come early enough to make their superiority count.
Zimbabwe stun favourites with first-half breakthrough
Zimbabwe, ranked outside the world’s top 100, approached the match with a compact shape and a clear plan: stay disciplined, deny Egypt space between the lines, and take any chance that appeared. For much of the first half, they did exactly that, absorbing pressure and defending their box with commitment.
Then came the moment that flipped the opener on its head. Against the run of play, Prince Dube found the net to put Zimbabwe ahead by halftime, leaving Egypt frustrated and suddenly under real pressure in their very first match of the tournament.
The goal not only gave Zimbabwe belief, it also raised the tension for Egypt. Matches like this can become dangerous when the favourites dominate without scoring—one mistake, one counter, one set piece, and everything changes.
Egypt respond after the break as intensity rises
Egypt returned from the interval with more urgency and sharper movement. The tempo increased, the attacking runs became more direct, and the pressure on Zimbabwe’s defensive line began to build.
Salah continued to drift into spaces where he could receive the ball on the half-turn, combine quickly, or deliver a decisive pass. Egypt pinned Zimbabwe back for long stretches, forcing clearances and second balls as they searched for the equaliser.
That breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute, when Omar Marmoush struck to bring Egypt level. It was the goal Egypt desperately needed—both to settle nerves and to open the match up again. With the score at 1-1, Egypt pushed for a winner, while Zimbabwe tried to regroup and hold on for what would have been a famous result.
Late drama: Salah finishes the comeback in stoppage time
As the clock ran down, the match began to look like it would end in a draw. Zimbabwe fought for every challenge, stayed compact, and tried to slow the game whenever possible. Egypt, meanwhile, kept pouring forward, knowing that dropping points in the opener could complicate the group stage.
In stoppage time, Egypt’s persistence finally paid off. A scramble in the final third led to a couple of loose balls falling kindly, and Mohamed Mustafa (Nantes) managed to direct a header toward Salah inside the penalty area.
Salah’s reaction was instant. He got on the right side of his marker, lunged faster than the defender, and guided a left-footed shot inside the near post to complete the turnaround and hand Egypt all three points. It was composed, clinical, and perfectly timed—exactly the kind of moment that defines tournament football.
A statement win — and a reminder of Salah’s value
The victory gives Egypt an early boost and sets a winning tone for the rest of their AFCON campaign. It also highlights something opponents already know: even if Egypt are not at their sharpest, they have match-winners capable of deciding games in seconds.
For Zimbabwe, the result will feel cruel after a disciplined and courageous display. Taking a first-half lead against one of Africa’s biggest football nations is no small achievement, and their organisation suggests they can still make life difficult for other teams in the group.
As for Salah, the stoppage-time winner adds another unforgettable chapter to his international story. The 33-year-old remains the heartbeat of Egypt’s attack, and when matches tighten and pressure rises, he is the one who can turn frustration into celebration with a single action.
Salah now has 63 international goals in 108 appearances, continuing to climb Egypt’s all-time lists. With more big games to come, the tournament offers him another chance to chase history and lead the Pharaohs deep into the competition. If Egypt build momentum from this dramatic opener, it’s easy to imagine this being remembered as the night their AFCON campaign truly started.