AFCON: City & Liverpool united in Egypt's triumph! Marmoush & Salah save Pharaohs' skin

Four games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and no upset yet. However, truth be told, Zimbabwe were on the brink of causing one. The Warriors were 1-0 up against mighty Egypt - which missed a number of chances and made 34 shots - since the 20th minute of the game, but eventually the Pharaohs' vast individual quality prevailed, and they turned the tables and made a comeback - 2-1.

The two men behind it were their two "leading actors" - Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Salah.

The former levelled after a fantastic solo run in the 64th minute, and the latter stepped up (after being invisible for most of the game), netting the vital winner in the first minute of added time.

Egypt survived, but they'll have to raise their game if they want to add the eighth AFCON trophy to their history books.

After South Africa gave them "homework" with a 2-1 win over Angola, Egypt opted for a strong start against Zimbabwe, aware of the game's importance as well as the crucial need to finish first in the group.

They had 15 attempts in the first half, wasted a number of decent chances, and firmly controlled the clash with 79% of possession. And they were 1-0 down!

Unlike the Pharaohs, Zimbabwe turned their only opportunity into a deadlock-breaker, exploiting a clumsy reaction of Egypt's centre-back Yasser Ibrahim, whose confusion wide opened the door for scoring to Prince Dube in the 20th minute.

The Egyptians' shock was vast, and they needed more than 40 minutes to recover. Nineteen minutes and six attempts after the break, the seven-time champions of Africa finally equalized thanks to Omar Marmoush, his solo effort, incredible skill, and powerful strike.

Still, the leveller didn't change much in either side's approach, as the Warriors were satisfied even with a point, while the Pharaohs were desperate to win. All in all, the stage was set for this "cat-and-mouse" game to go on.

And it continued with the immense pressure Hossam Hassan's crew put on their rivals. Zizo, Ibrahim Adel, almost invisible Mohamed Salah... Strikes towards Zimbabwe's goal were coming one after another, though the impression was that each of the Egyptians wanted to be the hero of his team's win. Still, they were constantly failing and the clock was ticking.

AFCON: Bafana Bafana don't forgive mistakes: Angola fight but leave empty-handed

And then he appeared. As if he spent the entire game walking around the pitch without anyone noticing his presence, Salah stepped up when it mattered most, took the ball in the first minute of added time, held off a duel with Zimbabwe's defender, turned towards the goal, and placed the ball into the net, for the immense joy of the Pharaohs' fans!

There was no time for the Warriors to return, as they ended the opening round without points just like Angola, while Egypt and South Africa lead the race for the knockout phase in Group B.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Sunday

Morocco - Comoros 2-0 (0-0)

/Diaz 55, El Kaabi 74/

Monday

Mali - Zambia 1-1 (0-0)

/Sinayoko 61 - Daka 90+2/

South Africa - Angola 2-1 (1-1)

/Appollis 21, Foster 79 - Show 35/

Egypt - Zimbabwe 2-1 (0-1)

/Marmoush 64, Salah 90+1 - Dube 20/

Tuesday

15.30: (1.67) DR Congo (3.50) Benin (5.80)

18.00: (1.25) Senegal (5.70) Botswana (13.0)

20.30: (1.45) Nigeria (4.20) Tanzania (8.00)

23.00: (1.70) Tunisia (3.50) Uganda (5.50)

Wednesday

15.30: (1.80) Burkina Faso (3.50) Equatorial Guinea (4.70)

18.00: (1.45) Algeria (4.20) Sudan (8.00)

20.30: (1.40) Ivory Coast (4.50) Mozambique (8.50)

23.00: (2.15) Cameroon (3.25) Gabon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***