Record-champions Egypt start hunt for title number eight as Zimbabwe look to make statement
Egypt, record winners of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be starting their hunt for an eighth star, when they open their Morocco 2025 campaign against Zimbabwe in Agadir on Monday.
The Pharaohs, under the tutelage of the legendary Hossam Hassan, himself a three-time winner as a player, are one of the favorites heading into the tournament. They last won the title in 2010 and have endured painful periods since then.
However, with another golden generation of massively talented players, Egypt feel this might be their year to break the duck. Their most dependable player and captain, two-time CAF player of the year, Mohammed Salah is expected to lead them in the hunt once again.
Salah has endured a tough few weeks at club level in England with Liverpool FC, but coach Hassan says the Cup of Nations will be a welcome distraction and an opportune moment for Salah to remind the whole world who he is.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe come into the duel with ambition to improve from their previous experiences. The Warriors have never gone past the group stage in the five previous appearances.
Under new coach Mario Marinica, Zimbabwe can dare dream. The Romanian tactician famously led Malawi to the round of 16 for the first time ever in 2021 in Cameroon, and he hopes to do the same with a stronger Zimbabwe.
Under the lights at the Grand Stade d’Agadir on Monday (Kick off 21h00), these two sides lock horns in what will be an interesting fixture.
What was said:
Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan did not mince his words as he spoke during the pre-match press conference. Egypt are going for their eighth star.
“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. We have worked well with our squad and we are ready, prepared for this tournament. The opening game against Zimbabwe will not be easy but we are ready,” he said.
The sentiments are shared by experienced player Mahmoud Ahmed ‘Trezeguet’ who has himself been on the losing end in two finals. The forward says; “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.”
On Zimbabwe’s end, coach Marinica knows it will not be a walk in the park against the Pharaohs.
“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,” the coach noted.
His captain Marvelous Nakamba offers the same insight. “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 noted.
Pre-match stat:
This is the 14th clash between Egypt and Zimbabwe overall. Egypt have dominated past encounters between the sides winning eight of their previous 13 games with 4 matches ending in a draw. Zimbabwe have won only once against Egypt.
Their only previous meeting at the AFCON took place in their opening games in 2004 and which Egypt won 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.