THE 2025 Africa Cup of Nations roared into life on Monday with late goals, dramatic turnarounds and landmark victories, as Egypt, South Africa and Zambia all made strong opening statements in a thrilling start to the continent’s premier football tournament.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that in Agadir, Mohamed Salah proved decisive once again, scoring a stoppage-time winner to help seven-time champions Egypt come from behind to defeat Zimbabwe 2-1 in their Group B opener.
The Liverpool star, still chasing his first AFCON title, rescued the Pharaohs from a frustrating evening in Morocco after Zimbabwe shocked the favourites with a first-half goal against the run of play.
Despite dominating possession, Egypt were wasteful in front of goal and were repeatedly denied by veteran Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi, who produced a series of impressive saves. Zimbabwe capitalised on Egypt’s profligacy when Prince Dube struck in the first half to hand the Warriors a surprise lead.
Egypt finally drew level in the 64th minute through Omar Marmoush, who hammered home to restore parity and ramp up the pressure. As the match drifted into stoppage time, Salah pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area to poke home the winner, sealing all three points and sparing Egypt early embarrassment.
The Pharaohs will now look to sharpen their finishing when they face South Africa in their next Group B fixture on Friday, while Zimbabwe travel to Marrakesh to take on Angola.
Earlier in Marrakesh, South Africa ended a long-standing AFCON hoodoo with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola, securing their first opening-match win at the tournament in 21 years.
Oswin Appollis put Bafana Bafana ahead in the 21st minute after capitalising on a loose ball from a Khuliso Mudau cross, beating Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques with a low finish. Angola responded strongly, with captain Fredy Ribeiro and forward Gelson Dala testing South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who produced a string of vital saves.
Angola’s pressure paid off in the 35th minute when Show equalised, capping a dominant spell before half-time. However, South Africa regrouped after the break and were rewarded in the 79th minute when Burnley striker Lyle Foster struck the winning goal to secure maximum points.
The win marked South Africa’s first successful AFCON opener since 2004, ending a run of draws and defeats in opening matches across several editions.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Zambia snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw against Mali in Casablanca thanks to a late header from Patson Daka, denying the West Africans victory in their opening fixture.
Mali dominated much of the encounter and missed a golden opportunity to take the lead before half-time when El Bilal Touré saw his penalty saved by Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza following a VAR review.
The Eagles eventually broke through shortly after the hour mark when Lassine Sinayoko fired home from close range after a corner. Mali looked set for victory until injury time, when Daka hurled himself at a Mathews Banda cross to score in the second minute of added time and earn Zambia a crucial point.
The result suited tournament hosts Morocco, who had earlier defeated Comoros 2-0 to top Group A. Mali will next face Morocco in Rabat on Friday, while Zambia take on Comoros as they continue their search for a first AFCON win since lifting the trophy in 2012.
With late goals, emotional finishes and historic milestones already delivered, AFCON 2025 has signalled its arrival in spectacular fashion, setting the tone for what promises to be another unforgettable African football festival.