Mohamed Salah scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Egypt beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their first game of the Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco on Monday.
The Egypt captain, making his first appearance since coming off the bench in four consecutive games against Liverpool, sealed a late win for the seven-time champions with a left-footed strike in the 91st minute after Zimbabwe had taken a first-half lead.
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The Egyptian team besieged Zimbabwe’s goal early, but in the 20th minute, underdog Prince Dube scored first.
Egypt’s Premier League side Omar Marmouche equalized in the 64th minute before talisman Salah sealed their late win.
Salah was thrust into the spotlight in Morocco after being dropped by the Premier League champions and struggled to find his rhythm for much of the game at the Agadir Stadium. However, when it came to crunch time, he swept in the winning goal to help Egypt level with South Africa. South Africa topped Group B after earlier beating Angola 2-1 in Marrakech.
It was something Egypt deserved, breaking a record of six consecutive draws in the past two Nations Cups.
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They put Zimbabwe under heavy pressure with four good chances in the opening 10 minutes, but fell behind when Emmanuel Jalai passed the ball to Dube, who turned and fired into the bottom left corner.
Daniel Msendami’s pace created a scramble for Washington Navaya and Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy saved the ball before sending it across the goal line to make it 2-0.
In stoppage time, center Salah scored to give Egypt a 2-1 lead. [Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Marmoush sole effect
In the 64th minute, Malmouche received a long pass from the left wing, cut inside, shot from a sharp angle with his right foot, and scored a wonderful single goal.
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“We created a lot of chances but couldn’t score early, but in the end everything worked out,” Mamouche said.
“We kept a good mentality and finished the game strong. We will learn from everything that happened in tonight’s game.”
Substitute Ahmed Zizo should have headed home at the back post from Mohamed Hamdy’s cross but his shot went wide and he was given a good chance by Salah four minutes before the end but he missed it again.
Salah secured the three points as he blocked his marker, controlled the ball and slotted home his first goal since early last month.
In their next Group B fixtures, Egypt face South Africa in Agadir on Boxing Day, while Zimbabwe and Angola meet in Marrakesh on Friday.
