Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe, AFCON 2025: Mohamed Salah's Late Winner Seals Victory For Pharaohs

Mohamed Salah got Egypt off to a winning start in the Africa Cup of Nations by scoring late for 2-1 against Zimbabwe on Monday. Salah captained the team in his first start for nearly a month and fired inside the bottom corner in stoppage time to spare Egypt embarrassment against a team ranked 129th in the world. Egypt, the record seven-time champion, was thwarted for long periods in the coastal city of Agadir by Zimbabwe’s stubborn defending and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Updated on: 23 December 2025 11:39 am

Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Mohamed Salah

Egypt's Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Ahmed Zizo

Egypt's Ahmed Zizo shoots during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Godknows Murwira

Zimbabwe's Godknows Murwira, left, and Egypt's Ibrahim Adel fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Omar Marmoush

Egypt's Omar Marmoush celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Marvelous Nakamba

Zimbabwe's Marvelous Nakamba, left, and Egypt's Mostafa Mohamed fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Daniel Msendami

Zimbabwe's Daniel Msendami, left, and Egypt's Mostafa Fathy fight for the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt's Mohamed Salah shoots during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Egypt vs Zimbabwe Africa Cup of Nations Soccer-Prince Dube

Zimbabwe's Prince Dube celebrates after scoring during the Africa Cup of Nations group B soccer match between Egypt and Zimbabwe in Agadir, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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