Mohamed Salah scored a late goal to give Egypt a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their opening match of the African Cup of Nations. The win denied a resilient Zimbabwe side a historic point.
For the first 19 minutes, Egypt dominated the game, with Salah leading the attacks. He delivered two teasing crosses to the far post, and on the first occasion, Trézéguet’s header was tipped onto the bar by Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Shortly after, Salah’s next cross found Emam Ashour unmarked, but the midfielder’s volley went wide.
Zimbabwe had a rare attack when Prince Dube controlled a ball from Emmanuel Jalai and scored to put his team ahead.
Egypt responded strongly in the second half. Omar Marmoush fired a long-range shot that was saved, and Salah missed a chance just before half-time.
Egypt finally equalised when Marmoush ran down the left wing and struck the ball into the top of the net.
In the closing stages, substitute Zizo missed a great chance, heading over the bar from a Mohamed Hamdy cross. Just as it seemed the match would end in a draw, Salah scored from 10 yards in stoppage time to secure the win.
