Salah Nets Late Winner To Stun Zimbabwe

Mohamed Salah’s late goal, coupled with Omar Marmoush’s earlier strike, led Egypt to a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their Africa Cup of Nations opener at Stade Adrar, Agadir, on Monday evening.

This was the third time these two sides faced off in the AFCON, with both of their previous encounters being in the tournament’s opening fixtures as well.

In 2004, the Pharaohs emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Tamer Hamid and Mohamed Barakat, while Zimbabwe’s Peter Ndlovu scored the lone goal for the Warriors. Fifteen years later, Egypt secured another narrow 1-0 win at home in 2019, courtesy of a Mahmoud Trezeguet goal.

The match began with Egypt taking the initiative, creating numerous scoring opportunities within the first 20 minutes.

Their most notable chance fell to Trezeguet, who had a header saved by Zimbabwean goalkeeper Washington Arubi. The ball, which was assisted by Mohamed Salah, flew towards the top centre of the goalpost, but Arubi was equal to the task.

However, Zimbabwe made the most of their first significant attempt of the game in the 20th minute.

Prince Dube, a former SuperSport United player who had stints with Highlanders, Black Leopards, and Azam FC, scored a crucial goal for the Warriors.

Dube, who had struggled to find game time with SuperSport behind Jeremy Brockie and Bradley Grobler, seized the opportunity and opened the scoring with a well-placed left-footed shot from the centre of the box.

Just five minutes after Dube’s goal, Zimbabwe came close to doubling their lead. Marumo Gallants’ winger Daniel Msendami had a right-footed shot from the centre of the box, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made an impressive save to deny the Warriors a second goal.

Despite Zimbabwe’s early success, Egypt continued to press for an equalizer, creating several chances after the 30-minute mark.

Marmoush, Salah, and Trezeguet all had shots on goal, but Arubi was up to the task, making several key saves to deny the Pharaohs. As the first half drew to a close, Zimbabwe held a 1-0 lead, thanks to Arubi’s heroics and Dube’s clinical finish.

The second half began with Egypt asserting its dominance, creating a flurry of scoring opportunities in the first 20 minutes.

Their persistence paid off in the 63rd minute when Marmoush scored a stunning equalizer with a well-placed right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left side of the field, leveling the score at 1-1.

Egypt continued to press for a winner, with Marmoush having another opportunity in the 70th minute.

However, his right-footed shot from outside the box lacked precision, and the score remained deadlocked.

As the game entered its final minutes, Egypt’s relentless pressure finally paid off. In the last minute of the game, Mohamed Salah, with his trademark back to goal, held off Teenage Hadebe, and while he was given a split turn, he fired the decisive goal with a clinical left-footed shot from the centre of the box, securing a 2-1 victory for Egypt.

The win propelled Egypt to the top of Group B with three points, while Zimbabwe slipped to third place. Bafana Bafana, who had earlier defeated Angola, occupied the second spot in the group standings.

With this win, Egypt will look to build on its momentum when it faces Bafana Bafana on Boxing Day. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will aim to bounce back from their defeat when they take on Angola on the same day.