AGADIR, Morocco – Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time strike rescued Egypt from the brink of frustration as they fought back to secure a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Group B of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
The stage is now set for a top-of-the-table showdown between the Pharaohs and Bafana Bafana in Agadir on Friday. They have met three times in AFCON tournaments, with Egypt winning twice.
The seven-time champions appeared to be heading towards a damaging opening-day setback despite dominating possession until their pressure told, with Salah delivering when it mattered most.
Despite Egypt’s dominance, it was Zimbabwe who struck first. In the 20th minute, Jordan Jalai surged down the flank before picking out Prince Dube, who spun inside the penalty area and placed a precise finish beyond Mohamed El Shenawy.
The response after the break was immediate. Egypt raised the tempo, pushed their full-backs higher and began to stretch Zimbabwe’s defensive shape.
Omar Marmoush, increasingly influential, finally delivered the equaliser in the 63rd minute, racing down the wing and finishing emphatically to restore parity.
The breakthrough finally arrived in stoppage time. Salah controlled a high ball inside the area, slipped past his marker and finished decisively to spark celebrations among the Egyptian players and fans.
“It was a difficult match. Our start wasn’t the best. But the most important thing is the victory,” Marmoush – Man of the Match – said after the game.
“We created a lot of chances without being able to score quickly, but in the end, everything went well. We maintained a good mindset and finished the match strongly. We will learn from everything that happened in tonight’s match,” the Manchester City star added according to cafonline.com.
“We created several opportunities in this match, but in the first half we were not very focused. Zimbabwe’s style of play frustrated us a bit and we were unable to do what we wanted,” Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan said.
“In the second half, we took the chances we had. We have good players and everyone is performing at the top of their game. I believe Zimbabwe wanted to protect their lead, but I am delighted that we were able to come back and eventually win the match.
“Our bench also helped us. We knew the potential we have. We will continue working on the weak areas from this match to improve in the next one.”
South Africa 2–1 Angola
South Africa opened their AFCON campaign with a deserved 2–1 victory over Angola in an entertaining Group B match at the Grand Stade in Marrakesh.
Bafana Bafana made a fast start and were rewarded in the 17th minute when Oswin Appollis struck to give Hugo Broos’ side an early advantage. The winger reacted quickest to a loose clearance inside the penalty area, feinted twice to wrong-foot the defence, and then guided a low, angled finish beyond Hugo Marques.
After taking the lead, South Africa gradually lost control of the contest. Angola grew in confidence and began to dominate possession, posing a consistent threat from set-pieces.
Gelson Dala went close with a header before the Palancas Negras were rewarded in the 34th minute. Fredy’s inswinging free-kick at the near post was cleverly flicked on by Show, whose touch beat Ronwen Williams to level the scores.
The second half saw a clear shift in momentum. Broos made a decisive change by introducing Moremi, and South Africa responded with renewed intensity. The pressure began to tell as Mbokazi rattled the crossbar, while Lyle Foster saw a goal ruled out for offside as Angola struggled to contain the sustained attacks.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 79th minute. Pressing high up the pitch, South Africa won possession before Nkota slipped a pass into Foster’s path. The striker made no mistake, curling a superb right-footed effort into the top corner to restore Bafana Bafana’s lead.
The victory confirms South Africa’s upward trajectory and gives them an important platform as they look to build momentum in a competitive group.
Mali 1–1 Zambia
Patson Daka’s dramatic stoppage-time header denied Mali victory as Zambia snatched a 1–1 draw in a tense AFCON Group A encounter at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Mali had looked set to claim all three points after dominating long spells of the contest, but a late lapse in concentration allowed Zambia’s talisman to strike at the death and earn the Chipolopolo a valuable point.
The Eagles started brightly and imposed themselves from the opening exchanges, controlling possession and pushing Zambia deep inside their own half. Mamadou Sangaré and Lassine Sinayoko were at the heart of Mali’s attacking play, while El Bilal Touré tested the Zambian back line with his movement.
Despite Mali’s dominance, clear chances were limited, with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza producing a series of important interventions to keep his side in the contest. His most significant moment came when he saved a penalty from Touré, preserving parity at a crucial stage of the match.
Mali’s breakthrough finally arrived just after the hour mark. A loose ball inside the area fell to Sinayoko, who reacted quickest and smashed a powerful effort beneath the crossbar to give the West Africans a deserved lead.
Zambia responded by increasing the tempo and committing more bodies forward. Fashion Sakala led the counter-attacks with pace and direct running, but Mali’s defence, marshalled effectively by Diaby, held firm for much of the second half.
With twenty minutes remaining, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet sought to protect the advantage by introducing fresh defensive legs, replacing Dorgeles Nene and Touré with Doumbia and Diarra. Sinayoko nearly sealed the contest moments later, his curling effort shaving the top corner.
However, Zambia refused to relent. Deep into stoppage time, a lapse in marking proved costly as Daka rose highest in the box to power home a header, silencing the Casablanca crowd and rescuing a dramatic draw.
The final whistle confirmed a frustrating outcome for Mali, who had controlled much of the contest but failed to capitalise fully. Zambia, meanwhile, showed resilience and belief, underlining their capacity to remain competitive until the very end.
