Egypt Begin Hunt for Eighth AFCON Title, Salah Seeks First as Zimbabwe Talk Tough

Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt’s charge for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations crown when the Pharaohs begin their Morocco 2025 campaign against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday night.

While Egypt are aiming to add another star to their illustrious history, Salah himself is chasing his first-ever AFCON triumph, a prize that has eluded him despite his glittering career at club level.

The Pharaohs, guided by legendary coach Hossam Hassan, last won the title in 2010 and have endured a painful drought since then. Hassan, himself a three-time AFCON winner as a player, believes this new generation of talent can finally break the duck.

‘Our squad is ready and we want our Egyptian team to be on the top. We have seven titles and we will give our all to push to win the eighth one. The opening game against Zimbabwe will not be easy but we are ready,’ Hassan said at the pre-match presser.

Salah, twice named CAF Player of the Year, arrives at the tournament after a difficult spell with Liverpool but is expected to be the talisman once again. His teammate Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Trezeguet’, who has twice lost in AFCON finals, echoed the determination within the squad.

‘At this time, there is no big gap in African football and each team is tough. We are focused on this campaign and going one match at a time. The first focus is on Zimbabwe, a tricky opponent but we have done everything to be ready for a win,’ he noted.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are determined to make a statement under new coach Mario Marinica, who famously guided Malawi to the round of 16 in 2021.

‘We are the underdogs in this group, but we have come prepared to compete and not just to take part. Our ambition is to make it past the group stages. We play against a fantastic Egyptian team with tremendous players, but we will also show what we have got and compete well against them,’ Marinica said.

Captain Marvelous Nakamba reinforced the Warriors’ ambition.

‘As players, we are confident and we have come to compete with the best on the continent. We want to represent our country with dignity. We know Egypt is one of the best teams in the competition but we will also give a good show to get a good result,’ he said.

This fixture marks the 14th meeting between Egypt and Zimbabwe. Egypt have dominated past encounters, winning eight of the previous 13 games, with four draws and just one defeat. Their only AFCON clashes came in 2004, when Egypt won 2-1 and 1-0 in the group stage.