Mohamed Salah led Egypt to a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe on Monday in the first round of Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations. This win was the team's first in the tournament since their victory over Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2021 edition, as Egypt had failed to win any of their subsequent matches until the end of their campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in the round of 16. The Egyptian team then had to settle for a penalty shootout victory over Cameroon in the semi-finals of the 2021 edition, three draws in the group stage, and a defeat on penalties against DR Congo in the round of 16 of the last edition. Zimbabwe took the lead in the 20th minute through a goal by Prince Dube, but Egypt equalized in the 64th minute through a goal by Omar Marmoush. In the final minute of the second half, Mohamed Salah scored the second goal for Egypt, securing the team's first three points in the group. Earlier on Monday, the group opened with South Africa's victory over Angola with the same score. On the 26th of this month, Egypt will face South Africa in the second round of the group, while Zimbabwe will play against Angola in the same round.
