In a thrilling encounter in Cairo, Egypt secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in their opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations. The match, held at the iconic Cairo International Stadium, was a display of skill, determination, and passion from both sides.
Zimbabwe stunned the home crowd early on as Prince Mpumelelo Dube capitalized on a defensive lapse to put his team ahead in the 20th minute. Dube’s clinical finish gave Zimbabwe a surprise lead and put Egypt on the back foot early in the contest.
The Pharaohs, however, responded positively to the setback and began to assert their dominance on the game. It was Omar Khaled Mohamed Abd Elsala Marmoush who restored parity for Egypt in the 64th minute with a well-taken goal, much to the delight of the home supporters.
As the match entered its closing stages, the tension in the stadium was palpable. Both teams pushed forward in search of a winner, with the outcome hanging in the balance. In a dramatic twist of fate, Egypt’s talisman Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly rose to the occasion, scoring a late goal in the 90th minute to complete the comeback and secure a crucial victory for his team.
The result sees Egypt off to a winning start in the tournament, setting the tone for their campaign. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be left to rue missed opportunities but can take heart from their spirited performance against one of the tournament favorites.
Overall, it was a pulsating encounter that showcased the competitive spirit and quality of football on display at the Africa Cup of Nations. Both teams displayed determination and skill, making for an entertaining spectacle for the fans in attendance and viewers around the world.
With this important victory, Egypt will look to build momentum in the tournament, while Zimbabwe will aim to bounce back in their upcoming matches. The Africa Cup of Nations promises more excitement and drama as the competition progresses, with teams vying for continental glory in the prestigious tournament.
- Egypt will play with South Africa. December 26 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Adrar.
- Zimbabwe will play with Angola. December 26 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade de Marrakech.
Egypt
- Mohamed El Sayed Mohamed El Sh Gomaa (7)
- Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash (6.6)
- Yasser Ahmed Ibrahim El Hanafi (6.7)
- Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid (7.2)
- Mohamed Hamdi (6.9)
- Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab (7)
- Hamdi Fathy Abdelhalim Abdul Fattah (7.2)
- Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly (8.6)
- Emam Ashour Metwally Abdelghany (6.2)
- Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (7)
- Omar Khaled Mohamed Abd Elsala Marmoush (8.3)
Zimbabwe
Substitutions:
Egypt
- Emam Ashour Metwally Abdelghany (Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed Abdallah, 34)
- Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab (Ibrahim Adel Ali Mohamed Hassan, 66)
- Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (Ahmed Mostafa Mohamed Sayed, 67)
- Mohamed Hamdi (Ahmed Mohamed Abou El Fotouh Mohamed, 82)
Zimbabwe
- W. Navaya (Macauley Miles Bonne, 46)
- D. Msendami (Prosper Padera, 72)
- Prince Mpumelelo Dube (Tawanda Chirewa, 72)
- Emmanuel Jalai (Tawanda Jethro Maswanhise, 88)
Ball possession:
In a captivating clash between Egypt and Zimbabwe, the Pharaohs dominated possession with an impressive 78%, leaving the Warriors with just 22% to work with. The ball seemed glued to the feet of the Egyptian players, showcasing their technical prowess and control throughout the match.
Egypt’s attacking prowess was on full display as they unleashed a total of 34 shots towards the goal, with 11 finding their target. Leading the charge in terms of shot attempts was the dynamic forward, Omar Khaled Mohamed Abd Elsala Marmoush, who kept the Zimbabwean defense on high alert with his relentless pressure and goal-scoring instincts.
On the other side of the pitch, Zimbabwe managed to muster 8 shots on target, with 3 testing the Egyptian goalkeeper. Macauley Miles Bonne stood out for the Warriors with his sharpshooting skills, making the most of the limited opportunities to threaten the Egyptian goal.
The match was a true spectacle of footballing talent, with Egypt’s dominant possession and relentless attacking mindset ultimately earning them a well-deserved victory. As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Egypt’s clinical finishing and control of the game had proven to be the difference against a resilient Zimbabwe side.
This match report encapsulates the essence of the thrilling encounter between Egypt and Zimbabwe, highlighting the key statistics of ball possession and shooting prowess that shaped the outcome of the game.
Passes:
In an exhilarating encounter between Egypt and Zimbabwe, the Pharaohs showcased their passing prowess, dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab of Egypt emerged as a standout performer with a remarkable pass accuracy of 92% from a total of 82 passes. His composure on the ball and precision in distribution were instrumental in Egypt’s fluid attacking play.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s Marvelous Nakamba struggled to find his rhythm, with a pass accuracy of 69% from 23 passes. Despite facing intense pressure from the Egyptian midfield, Nakamba showed glimpses of his talent but was ultimately unable to influence the game as much as he would have liked.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly was a creative force in the match, providing 6 key passes that unlocked the Zimbabwean defense on multiple occasions. His vision and ability to find his teammates in dangerous positions proved to be a constant threat throughout the game.
In contrast, Zimbabwe’s Washington Arubi had a quieter game, with only 1 key pass to his name. Despite his limited impact on the game, Arubi displayed moments of brilliance with his distribution from the back, albeit in a challenging environment against the relentless Egyptian press.
Overall, Egypt’s dominance in passing accuracy and creativity was key to their victory over Zimbabwe, as they asserted their authority on the game from start to finish. The Pharaohs’ fluid passing and incisive playmaking proved to be too much for Zimbabwe to handle, highlighting the importance of precision and efficiency in modern football.
Defense:
In a fiercely contested match between Egypt and Zimbabwe, defensive prowess took center stage as both teams showcased their ability to disrupt attacking plays through interceptions and blocks. The defensive battle was intense, with players from both sides displaying exceptional awareness and anticipation to halt their opponents’ advances.
Egypt demonstrated a solid defensive performance, tallying a total of 6 interceptions throughout the match. Leading the charge for Egypt was Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash, who showcased his defensive acumen with 2 crucial interceptions. Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid also contributed with 1 interception, further solidifying Egypt’s defensive resolve.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe proved to be a formidable defensive unit, recording an impressive 8 interceptions. Emmanuel Jalai stood out with his commanding presence, leading Zimbabwe with 3 interceptions. John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara also made a significant impact with 4 interceptions, showcasing his ability to read the game and thwart Egypt’s attacking efforts.
In terms of blocks, Egypt managed to secure 2 crucial blocks to deny Zimbabwe’s goal-scoring opportunities. The defensive duo of Egypt stood tall under pressure, showcasing their resilience and determination to protect their goal.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, displayed a stellar defensive performance with an impressive 11 blocks throughout the match. John Gerald Tungamirai Takwara was a standout performer, leading Zimbabwe with 4 crucial blocks to frustrate Egypt’s attacking threats.
Overall, both teams exhibited a strong defensive mindset, with interceptions and blocks playing a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the match. The defensive battle added an extra layer of intensity to the game, highlighting the importance of defensive actions in modern football.
Face-to-face:
In a thrilling encounter between Egypt and Zimbabwe, the battle for possession was intense as both teams fought tooth and nail in face-to-face duels for the ball. The leaders in this aspect were Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid from Egypt with 10 battles and Macauley Miles Bonne from Zimbabwe with 11 battles, showcasing their determination and tenacity on the pitch.
From the first whistle, it was evident that both teams were hungry for victory, and this hunger translated into a fierce competition for the ball. Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid of Egypt displayed his prowess in the midfield, engaging in 10 face-to-face duels for possession, showing his commitment to driving his team forward.
On the other side, Macauley Miles Bonne of Zimbabwe was a force to be reckoned with, engaging in a staggering 11 battles for the ball, demonstrating his grit and determination to secure possession for his team. His relentless pursuit of the ball was a key factor in Zimbabwe’s performance on the day.
In the end, it was a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, with the face-to-face duels for the ball showcasing the competitive spirit and skill of players like Hossam Abdelmaguid Abdelsalam Abdelmaguid and Macauley Miles Bonne. The match was a testament to the passion and dedication of both teams, making for a thrilling spectacle for fans and neutrals alike.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that both Egypt and Zimbabwe had given their all in pursuit of victory, with the leaders in face-to-face duels for the ball leaving a lasting impression with their exceptional performances.
Fouls:
Yellow cards:
- Marwan Attia Fahim Ghallab (Egypt) at 33 minute
- Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan (Egypt) at 44 minute
- W. Navaya (Zimbabwe) at 7 minute
- Godknows Murwira (Zimbabwe) at 57 minute
The last five games (including this match):
- Egypt – W
- Zimbabwe – L
Top 5 Africa Cup of Nations scorers:
- Prince Mpumelelo Dube (2, Zimbabwe)
- Brahim Abdelkader Díaz (1, Morocco)
- Lassine Sinayoko (1, Mali)
- Lyle Brent Foster (1, South Africa)
- Manuel Luís da Silva Cafumana (1, Angola)
Line-ups:
Next games:
- Egypt will play with South Africa. December 26 at 15:00 (GMT), on Stade Adrar.
- Zimbabwe will play with Angola. December 26 at 12:30 (GMT), on Stade de Marrakech.
