Egypt opened their AFCON 25 campaign with a narrow 2–1 victory over Zimbabwe in a match that proved more difficult than many expected. Despite being heavy favourites, Egypt were forced to dig deep to secure all three points against a well-organised and fearless Zimbabwean side.
Egypt controlled possession from the start, moving the ball patiently and trying to stretch Zimbabwe’s defensive shape. However, clear-cut chances were limited, as Zimbabwe stayed compact and disciplined, frustrating Egypt’s attackers and breaking up play in midfield.
Zimbabwe stunned Egypt by taking the lead against the run of play. A quick transition exposed a moment of defensive hesitation, and the chance was taken calmly, putting Egypt under early pressure and reminding everyone of AFCON’s unpredictability.
The goal sparked a reaction from Egypt. They increased the tempo, pushed more players forward, and began to create sustained pressure. Their persistence was rewarded with an equaliser before halftime, a goal that shifted momentum and settled nerves going into the break.
In the second half, Egypt showed greater control and maturity. They pressed higher, dominated territory, and forced Zimbabwe deeper into their own half. Fresh legs off the bench added energy and movement, making it harder for Zimbabwe to maintain their defensive structure.
The winning goal came after a spell of sustained pressure, with Egypt finally breaking through thanks to intelligent movement and a composed finish inside the box. It was a goal that reflected their experience and ability to manage key moments in tournament football.
Zimbabwe refused to give up and continued to threaten on the counter, keeping Egypt alert until the final whistle. Their performance will give them confidence going forward, even though they were left empty-handed.
For Egypt, the victory provides an important foundation in the group but also highlights areas that need improvement, particularly in defensive transitions and efficiency in front of goal. For Zimbabwe, the display showed resilience and competitiveness that could prove crucial in their remaining matches.
The result underlines a familiar AFCON lesson: no match is easy, and reputation alone is never enough to guarantee success.