Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner to hand Egypt a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Zimbabwe in their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations clash.
Zimbabwe stunned the seven-time champions midway through the first half when Prince Dube swept home from close range in the 20th minute, punishing a rare lapse in the Egyptian defence.
The Warriors defended stoutly thereafter, with goalkeeper Washington Arubi producing a string of saves to frustrate Egypt before the break.
Egypt emerged with renewed intensity in the second half and were rewarded in the 64th minute. Omar Marmoush latched onto a pass from Mohamed Hamdy and fired in from a tight angle to level the score, igniting sustained pressure from the Pharaohs.
Chances followed for Mostafa Mohamed, Zizo and Ibrahim Adel, but Zimbabwe held firm as the clock ticked into added time. Just when it seemed the points would be shared, Egypt found the decisive moment. In the 90+1st minute, Mostafa Mohamed nodded the ball into Salah’s path, and the captain kept his composure to slot a left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Zimbabwe pushed late but could not find an equaliser, as Egypt closed out the game to secure all three points.
The win gives Egypt a crucial boost in their group campaign, while Zimbabwe will take heart from a disciplined performance that pushed one of the tournament favourites to the limit.