Egypt vs Zimbabwe Match Preview | Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Fixture: Egypt vs Zimbabwe
Competition: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 – Group B Opener
Date: Monday, December 22, 2025
Kick-off Time: 9:00 PM Local / 8:00 PM GMT (3:00 PM ET)
Venue: Stade Adrar, Agadir, Morocco
Referee: TBC

Match Overview

Egypt begin their quest for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title when they face Zimbabwe in their Group B opener at the Stade Adrar in Agadir on Monday evening. The Pharaohs arrive as one of the tournament favorites, led by captain and talisman Mohamed Salah, who knows this could be his final opportunity to cement his legacy in African football. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe return to the continental stage for their sixth appearance after missing the 2023 edition, having recently undergone a managerial change with Mario Marinica replacing Michael Nees. This fixture represents Egypt’s path to redemption after 15 years without continental glory, while Zimbabwe seek their first-ever group stage victory at an AFCON opening match.

Current Form & Tournament Context

Egypt (The Pharaohs)

Egypt enter AFCON 2025 as seven-time champions seeking their first continental title since their triumph in Angola in 2010 – a painful 15-year drought for Africa’s most successful nation. Under manager Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs have shown excellent recent form and successfully qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, demonstrating their quality on the international stage.

The burden of expectation has never been heavier for Mohamed Salah, entering his fifth AFCON (third as captain) at age 33. After heartbreaking final defeats in 2017 (lost to Cameroon) and 2021 (lost to Senegal on penalties despite Gabaski’s heroics), this tournament represents potentially his last chance to seal his African legacy while dealing with uncertainty surrounding his Liverpool future.

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches):

Won 2-1 against Nigeria (friendly, pre-tournament boost)
Drew 1-1 with Cape Verde (friendly)
Lost 2-0 to Uzbekistan (friendly)
Won 1-0 against Guinea-Bissau (World Cup qualifier)
Won 3-0 against Djibouti (World Cup qualifier – Salah brace)
Won 5 of last 6 competitive matches

Tournament History:

Record 7 AFCON titles (most successful nation)
Qualified for 26 of 35 AFCON tournaments
Reached finals in 5 of last AFCONs qualified for
Last title: 2010 in Angola
Recent finals: 2017 (lost to Cameroon), 2021 (lost to Senegal)
Knocked out in Round of 16 at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast

Key Stats:

Qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Averaging 1.67 goals per game in recent matches
Conceded just 2 goals in AFCON qualifying
Trezeguet top scorer in qualifying with 4 goals
Won all previous AFCON meetings vs Zimbabwe (2-0 record)

Zimbabwe (The Warriors)

Zimbabwe return to the Africa Cup of Nations for their sixth appearance after serving a FIFA suspension that excluded them from the 2023 edition. The Warriors scraped through qualifying but have endured a nightmarish period of form, winning just twice in their last 17 matches dating back over a year.

The managerial change from Michael Nees to Mario Marinica just before the tournament adds unpredictability – the Warriors could surprise with fresh tactical approaches or flounder spectacularly under new leadership. Their recent 2-1 friendly victory over Qatar provided rare optimism, with Bill Antonio’s late winner securing an impressive comeback.

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches):

Won 2-1 against Qatar (friendly – rare bright spot)
Lost 3-1 to Algeria (friendly)
Lost 1-0 to Lesotho (World Cup qualifier)
Drew 0-0 with South Africa (World Cup qualifier)
Lost 1-0 to Rwanda (home, World Cup qualifier)
Lost 1-0 to Benin (World Cup qualifier)
Won only 2 of last 17 matches overall

Tournament History:

Making 6th AFCON appearance (first: 2004)
Never progressed beyond group stages
Finished bottom of group in all 4 appearances since 2006
Never won an AFCON opening match (D1 L4)
Only opening-match point: 2-2 draw vs Algeria in 2017
Never kept a clean sheet at AFCON finals
Won only 3 of 15 AFCON matches (all 2-1 scorelines in final group games)

Key Stats:

Ranked 125th in FIFA World Rankings
Failed to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Scored just 3 goals in last 6 matches
Conceded 7 goals in last 6 matches
Winless in 15 of last 17 matches
Failed to score in 4 of last 6 matches

Head-to-Head Record

Egypt have dominated this fixture throughout history, winning 8 of 13 previous meetings with 4 draws and just 1 Zimbabwe victory. The Pharaohs have won the last 6 consecutive encounters, scoring 21 goals to Zimbabwe’s 11 across all meetings.

AFCON Meetings:

2019 AFCON, Group A (Cairo): Egypt 1-0 Zimbabwe – Trezeguet 41′ (opening match)
2004 AFCON, Group C (Sfax, Tunisia): Zimbabwe 1-2 Egypt – Zimbabwe led through Ndlovu 46′ before Egypt fought back with Abdel Hamid 58′ and Barakat 63′

Other Notable Meetings:

June 9, 2013 (World Cup qualifying, Harare): Zimbabwe 2-4 Egypt – Mohamed Salah hat-trick, Knowledge Musona scored for Zimbabwe
December 20, 1992 (World Cup qualifying): Zimbabwe 2-1 Egypt – Zimbabwe’s ONLY victory in this fixture

Key Stats:

Egypt unbeaten in last 10 meetings (W7 D3)
Egypt won last 6 consecutive encounters
Egypt scored at least 2 goals in 5 of last 6 meetings
Egypt won both previous AFCON meetings (2-0 overall record)
Zimbabwe’s only win came 33 years ago in 1992
Current Egypt coach Hossam Hassan faced Zimbabwe 4 times as player (W2 D1 L1)

Team News & Injuries

Egypt

Confirmed Out:

Mohamed Elneny (not included in squad – notable absence)
Minor fitness concerns being monitored

Doubtful:

No major injury concerns reported

Available – 26-Man Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly)
Ahmed El Shenawy (Pyramids)
Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly)
Mohamed Sobhy (Zamalek)

Defenders:

Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly)
Ahmed Hegazi (experienced center-back)
Mohamed Abdelmonem (solid defender)
Omar Kamal
Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids)
Ramy Rabia (Al Ain)
Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly)
Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek)

Midfielders:

Emam Ashour
Mohamed Attia
Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan (experienced winger, 4 goals in qualifying)
Ramadan Sobhi
Ahmed Zizo

Forwards:

Mohamed Salah (captain) – 33 years old, 108th cap, Liverpool star
Omar Marmoush – Frankfurt forward in excellent form
Mostafa Mohamed – focal point striker

Manager: Hossam Hassan (under immense pressure after Rui Vitoria’s sacking)

Key Notes: Egypt possess one of the continent’s most fearsome attacks featuring Liverpool’s Salah (league leader with 15+ goals) and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Marmoush (13 Bundesliga goals). This attacking duo alone strikes fear into any defense. The absence of Elneny removes midfield experience, but the squad depth remains exceptional.

Zimbabwe

Confirmed Out:

No major injuries reported officially

Doubtful:

Marshall Munetsi (Wolves midfielder, vice-captain) – fatigue and fitness concerns being closely monitored

Available Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Talbert Shumba
Bernard Donovan (experienced backup)

Defenders:

Alec Mudimu
Teenage Hadebe (experienced center-back)
Munashe Garananga (scored vs Qatar)
Devine Lunga
Godknows Murwira

Midfielders:

Marshall Munetsi (Wolves – if fit)
Marvelous Nakamba (experienced midfielder)
Tafadzwa Rusike
Richard Hachiro

Forwards:

Knowledge Musona (captain) – could become first Zimbabwean to feature at 4 AFCONs
Prince Dube
David Moyo
Walter Musona (top scorer in qualifying with 2 goals)
Bill Antonio (scored winning goal vs Qatar)

Manager: Mario Marinica (new appointment, replaced Michael Nees last month)

Key Notes: Zimbabwe’s limited squad quality is evident with Walter Musona’s 2 goals making him top scorer in qualifying. The fitness concern over vice-captain Munetsi could prove significant. Knowledge Musona’s experience will be vital, but scoring goals has been their Achilles heel (3 goals in last 6 matches).

Tactical Analysis

Egypt’s Approach

Hossam Hassan typically deploys a flexible 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation emphasizing midfield control, quick vertical passing, and exploiting individual brilliance from Salah and Marmoush. The Pharaohs prioritize possession-based football with defensive stability.

Key Tactical Points:

Possession-dominant approach (typically 60%+)
Quick transitions through Salah and Marmoush
Midfield control and tempo management
Compact defensive shape limiting space
Wide attackers stretching defenses
Set-piece proficiency

Strengths:

World-class attacking duo (Salah & Marmoush)
Tournament experience and pedigree
Excellent recent form (5 wins in last 6 competitive)
Defensive solidity (2 goals conceded in qualifying)
Trezeguet’s experience and scoring threat
Superior technical quality throughout squad
Psychological dominance over Zimbabwe (won last 6)

Weaknesses:

Enormous pressure and expectation
15-year title drought weighing heavily
Salah’s Liverpool uncertainty could be distraction
Missing Elneny’s midfield experience
Can struggle against ultra-defensive setups
Tendency to dominate without converting pressure to goals

Zimbabwe’s Approach

Mario Marinica will likely employ a defensive 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2 formation designed to absorb pressure, remain compact, and seek rare counter-attacking opportunities. Survival and damage limitation will be paramount.

Key Tactical Points:

Deep defensive block limiting space
Compact 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 shape when defending
Minimal possession (likely 35-40%)
Counter-attacks through pace when possible
Physical midfield presence
Set-piece threat as primary attacking weapon

Strengths:

New manager unpredictability factor
Recent victory over Qatar boosted confidence
Musona’s experience (potential 4th AFCON)
Fighting spirit and determination
Physical presence in midfield duels
Nothing to lose mentality

Weaknesses:

Worst attacking output (3 goals in last 6 matches)
Winless in 15 of last 17 matches
Never won AFCON opening match (D1 L4)
Never progressed beyond group stages
Never kept clean sheet at AFCON finals
Limited squad quality and depth
Munetsi fitness concerns remove key player
Managerial change creates uncertainty
Psychological inferiority complex vs Egypt (lost last 6)

Key Battles

Mohamed Salah vs Zimbabwe’s Defense

This matchup defines the fixture. Salah arrives as one of world football’s elite players, leading the Premier League in goals and assists while captaining Egypt through potentially his final AFCON. His pace, dribbling, vision, and clinical finishing make him virtually unstoppable when in form. Teenage Hadebe and Zimbabwe’s defensive unit must remain compact, disciplined, and avoid giving Salah space to exploit. However, limiting his impact for 90 minutes seems nearly impossible given his world-class quality.

Omar Marmoush vs Zimbabwe’s Backline

Marmoush has been sensational for Eintracht Frankfurt with 13 Bundesliga goals this season, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards. His movement, pace, and finishing ability complement Salah perfectly, creating a nightmare dual-threat that Zimbabwe cannot handle. Zimbabwe’s defenders will be stretched trying to contain both attackers simultaneously.

Midfield Control: Egypt’s Engine Room vs Zimbabwe’s Physical Approach

Egypt’s midfield featuring Emam Ashour and others must control possession, dictate tempo, and create chances for Salah and Marmoush. Zimbabwe’s physical midfield (if Munetsi is fit) will attempt to disrupt Egypt’s rhythm through aggressive pressing and winning second balls. This battle determines whether Egypt dominate comfortably or Zimbabwe frustrate them temporarily.

Knowledge Musona vs Egypt’s Defense

Zimbabwe captain Musona, potentially featuring in his fourth AFCON, provides their only genuine attacking threat. His experience, movement, and finishing ability give Zimbabwe hope for counter-attacking opportunities. However, facing Egypt’s organized defense with minimal support makes his task nearly impossible.

What The Managers Said

Hossam Hassan (Egypt): “We enter this tournament with great ambition and respect for every opponent. Zimbabwe will be organized and motivated, but we have quality throughout our squad. Mohamed Salah is our captain and leader, and we trust in his ability to inspire us. Winning the opening match is crucial for building momentum. We must focus only on Zimbabwe and avoid looking ahead.”

Mario Marinica (Zimbabwe): “Egypt are clear favorites with world-class players, but we come here to compete. We’ve prepared well and the victory over Qatar showed our character. Knowledge Musona’s experience will be vital for our young players. We must be disciplined defensively and take any chances that come. AFCON is special – anything can happen.”

Veteran Trezeguet’s Comments: “Every game in this tournament is like a final. We’re fully concentrated on Zimbabwe and cannot underestimate them. The opening match sets the tone for the entire campaign. We have quality and experience, but we must execute our game plan perfectly.”

Statistical Insights

Egypt Statistics:

7-time AFCON champions (record)
Qualified for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Won 5 of last 6 competitive matches
Averaging 1.67 goals per game recently
Conceded just 2 goals in AFCON qualifying
Won last 6 meetings vs Zimbabwe
8 wins from 13 all-time meetings vs Zimbabwe
Scored 21 goals vs Zimbabwe’s 11 across all meetings

Zimbabwe Statistics:

Making 6th AFCON appearance
Never progressed beyond group stages
Never won opening AFCON match (D1 L4)
Won only 3 of 15 AFCON matches (all 2-1 in final group games)
Never kept clean sheet at AFCON finals
Winless in 15 of last 17 matches overall
Scored just 3 goals in last 6 matches
Lost 4 of last 6 matches
Failed to score in 4 of last 6 matches
Ranked 125th in FIFA World Rankings

Betting Insights:

Egypt overwhelming favorites at -400 to -500 (1.20-1.25)
Zimbabwe at +1200 to +1500 (13.00-16.00) reflecting massive underdog status
Draw at +500 (6.00) – highly unlikely
Egypt -1 handicap popular at around 1.70-1.80
Over 2.5 goals likely given Egypt’s attacking quality
Egypt to win to nil attractive option

Where to Watch

United Kingdom:

Channel 4 (FREE-TO-AIR)
All 4 (streaming)
Channel 4 Sport YouTube

United States:

beIN Sports
beIN Sports Connect
Fubo TV

Nigeria:

SuperSport Football
DStv
StarTimes

Egypt:

ON Time Sports
beIN Sports MENA

Zimbabwe:

SuperSport
DStv

Streaming:
Available via respective broadcaster apps and streaming platforms

Match Predictions & Betting Tips

Form Analysis

This fixture presents one of AFCON 2025’s most lopsided matchups on paper. Egypt arrive as tournament favorites with world-class attacking quality, excellent recent form (5 wins in last 6 competitive), and psychological dominance (won last 6 meetings). Zimbabwe arrive as massive underdogs with horrific form (won 2 of last 17), goalscoring struggles (3 goals in last 6), and zero AFCON opening-match victories.

The quality gap is enormous. Egypt’s attacking duo of Mohamed Salah (Premier League leader in goals/assists) and Omar Marmoush (13 Bundesliga goals) represents firepower Zimbabwe simply cannot contain. Add Trezeguet’s experience (4 goals in qualifying) and Mostafa Mohamed’s focal-point threat, and Egypt possess overwhelming offensive superiority.

Zimbabwe’s defensive record suggests they’ll be overwhelmed: never kept clean sheet at AFCON finals, conceded 7 goals in last 6 matches, and lost 4 of those games. Their attacking impotence (3 goals in last 6) means they cannot threaten Egypt’s organized defense.

The historical record is damning for Zimbabwe: lost last 6 meetings, never beaten Egypt at AFCON (0-2 record), and only won once in 13 all-time encounters (that victory came 33 years ago in 1992). Egypt have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 meetings, demonstrating consistent attacking dominance.

Zimbabwe’s managerial change adds unpredictability – Mario Marinica’s appointment could inspire fresh tactical approaches or create confusion and disorganization. Their recent 2-1 victory over Qatar provides minimal encouragement given Egypt’s vastly superior quality.

Predicted Lineups

Egypt (4-2-3-1):
El Shenawy; Hany, Hegazi, Abdelmonem, Hamdy; Ashour, Fathy; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Mostafa Mohamed

Zimbabwe (4-2-3-1 defensive):
Shumba; Mudimu, Hadebe, Garananga, Lunga; Nakamba, Munetsi (if fit); Rusike, Hachiro, Murwira; Musona

Score Prediction: Egypt 3-0 Zimbabwe

Reasoning:
This should be routine for Egypt despite tournament pressure. The Pharaohs will dominate possession (65-70%), create numerous chances (15+ shots), and overwhelm Zimbabwe’s limited defense through their superior attacking quality. Salah and Marmoush’s combination will prove unstoppable.

Egypt will approach professionally, recognizing the importance of starting with maximum points and building confidence. They’ll control tempo from kickoff, patiently probing for openings while Zimbabwe defend deep in survival mode. The breakthrough will come before halftime through individual brilliance or set-piece quality.

Zimbabwe will defend desperately, parking 10 men behind the ball and hoping to frustrate Egypt temporarily. However, sustaining that discipline for 90 minutes against elite attackers is impossible. Egypt’s technical superiority, movement, and clinical finishing will eventually break down Zimbabwe’s resistance.

Salah will be Egypt’s talisman, likely scoring or assisting multiple goals. Marmoush’s pace and movement will stretch Zimbabwe’s defense, creating space for teammates. Trezeguet’s experience provides another dimension. Zimbabwe’s inability to keep clean sheets at AFCON (never done it in 15 matches) suggests multiple Egyptian goals.

Zimbabwe’s attacking threat is virtually non-existent. With 3 goals in their last 6 matches and facing Egypt’s organized defense, they’ll struggle to create clear chances. Their only hope is a miracle counter-attack or set-piece, but even that seems unlikely given their scoring struggles.

Egypt need this victory to build momentum and confidence for tougher group opponents. A professional, controlled performance establishing dominance is essential. Expect them to score early, add a second before halftime, and secure a third in the second period while managing energy for upcoming fixtures.

Alternative Scorelines:

Egypt 2-0 Zimbabwe (30% probability) – Conservative performance
Egypt 4-0 Zimbabwe (20% probability) – If Zimbabwe collapse
Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe (10% probability) – Zimbabwe grab consolation

Betting Tips

Recommended Bets:

Egypt to Win – Safe but low odds at 1.20 (1/5) – Guaranteed almost
Egypt -1 Handicap – Best value at 1.70-1.80 (7/10 to 4/5) – Strong pick
Over 2.5 Goals – Good odds at 1.80-1.90 (4/5 to 9/10) – Egypt’s attacking quality
Egypt to Win to Nil – Excellent value at 2.00-2.20 (evens to 6/5) – Zimbabwe’s goalscoring struggles
Mohamed Salah Anytime Goalscorer – Strong pick at 1.80-2.00 (4/5 to evens)

Anytime Goalscorer Picks:

Mohamed Salah – 1.80-2.00 (4/5 to evens) – Top pick, world-class quality
Omar Marmoush – 2.50-2.75 (6/4 to 7/4) – Excellent form
Trezeguet – 3.00-3.50 (2/1 to 5/2) – Experience and 4 qualifying goals
Mostafa Mohamed – 3.00-3.25 (2/1 to 9/4) – Focal-point striker

Longshots:

Correct Score: Egypt 3-0 – 7.00-8.00 (6/1 to 7/1)
Egypt to win both halves – 2.75-3.00 (7/4 to 2/1)
Salah to score 2+ goals – 5.00-6.00 (4/1 to 5/1)
Egypt to score in both halves – 1.60-1.70 (8/13 to 7/10)

Final Verdict

This match represents contrasting narratives: Egypt’s quest for redemption after 15 years without continental glory versus Zimbabwe’s desperate battle to avoid another group-stage humiliation. The Pharaohs carry enormous pressure and expectation, knowing anything less than victory would constitute catastrophic failure against significantly inferior opposition.

For Mohamed Salah, this tournament represents potentially his final opportunity to cement his African legacy. At 33 years old, entering his fifth AFCON and third as captain, the Liverpool superstar needs this title to complete his trophy cabinet and silence doubters who question his international impact despite club brilliance. The weight of expectation for Egypt’s greatest modern player has never been heavier.

The tactical battle is straightforward: Egypt will dominate possession, control territory, and create numerous chances through technical superiority. Zimbabwe will defend deep, stay compact, and hope to survive without catastrophic defeat. The quality gap is simply too vast for competitive balance.

Egypt’s attacking arsenal featuring Salah (Premier League leader), Marmoush (13 Bundesliga goals), and Trezeguet (4 qualifying goals) represents firepower that Zimbabwe cannot contain. Their combined movement, pace, and clinical finishing will overwhelm Zimbabwe’s limited defensive resources.

Zimbabwe’s statistics are damning: never won AFCON opening match (D1 L4), never progressed beyond group stages, never kept clean sheet at AFCON finals, winless in 15 of last 17 matches, scored just 3 goals in last 6 games. These numbers paint a picture of a team completely out of their depth against elite African opposition.

The historical record reinforces Egyptian dominance: won last 6 meetings, 8-4-1 overall record, scored 21 goals to Zimbabwe’s 11 across all encounters. Zimbabwe’s only victory came 33 years ago in 1992 – a distant memory with no relevance to current circumstances.

Expect Egypt to approach professionally, recognizing opening victories set tournament tone. They’ll control possession (65-70%), create chances consistently (15+ shots), and convert superior quality into comfortable victory. Salah will be central to success, likely scoring or assisting multiple goals while inspiring teammates through leadership.

Zimbabwe will defend desperately, attempting to frustrate Egypt temporarily through organization and discipline. However, sustaining that effort for 90 minutes against world-class attackers is impossible. Their inability to threaten offensively (3 goals in last 6 matches) means Egypt can commit numbers forward without significant risk.

This fixture represents everything difficult about international football for minnows facing giants. Zimbabwe’s preparation, spirit, and determination mean nothing when the quality gap is insurmountable. Egypt possess superior players in every position, better tactical preparation, psychological dominance, and overwhelming motivation.

Final Prediction: Egypt 3-0 Zimbabwe

Egypt will secure a comfortable, professional victory that launches their AFCON 2025 campaign successfully. Mohamed Salah will score or assist multiple goals, demonstrating his world-class quality on the continental stage. Omar Marmoush will terrorize Zimbabwe’s defense with pace and movement. Trezeguet’s experience will provide additional attacking dimension. Egypt’s defensive organization will keep Zimbabwe scoreless, continuing the Warriors’ nightmare record of never keeping clean sheets at AFCON finals. The Pharaohs take maximum three points, build confidence and momentum, while Zimbabwe suffer another opening-match defeat (their fifth in five attempts). Egypt’s quest for an eighth continental title begins successfully, though much sterner tests await in the knockout stages.

AFCON

Egypt vs Zimbabwe Match Preview | Africa Cup of Nations 2025