Egypt’s quest for an eighth Africa Cup of Nations crown kicks off Monday at Adrar Stadium, where they face Zimbabwe in the opening clash of Group B.
Hossam Hassan’s squad enters as pre-tournament favorites, but the Pharaohs must tread carefully against the Warriors, whose recent coaching shake-up could spark unexpected surprises.
Despite their efforts, Egypt’s trophy cabinet has remained untouched since their triumph in Luanda 15 years ago.
The Pharaohs fell short in both the 2017 and 2021 finals, losing to Cameroon and Senegal despite seizing early leads and pulling off dramatic penalty saves.
Hassan, a three-time champion himself, now leads Africa’s most decorated team, dreaming of adding another title to his legacy after his triumphs in 1986, 1998, and 2006—the spark that ignited Egypt’s legendary three-peat.
While Morocco shoulders its own pressure, Egypt’s seven-time champions carry the weight of expectation, especially from their passionate North African supporters.
For Mohamed Salah, the talismanic captain, this AFCON could be his toughest test yet—and perhaps his last shot at continental glory.
Having featured in the 2017 and 2021 tournaments, the 33-year-old now seeks redemption and a triumphant chapter to overshadow his recent struggles with Liverpool.
Yet Egypt must remain grounded, especially with Zimbabwe’s fresh leadership under Marinica, which brings an air of unpredictability to the encounter.
The Warriors’ last-minute changes could either fuel a bold resurgence or lead to another disappointing exit in their sixth AFCON appearance.
Zimbabwe faces an uphill battle in the tournament, with their shaky qualifying campaign casting doubt on their prospects.
After two scoreless outings, only a Khama Billiat penalty broke the deadlock against Namibia, underscoring their struggles in front of goal.
Remarkably, two of their six qualifying goals came from the spot. While three clean sheets—including one against Cameroon—offer hope, the Warriors must seize their chances and defend resolutely to add to their modest tally of three AFCON victories.
