Egypt Narrowly Beats Zimbabwean Warriors In The 2019 AFCON Finals Opener

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosts, Egypt have narrowly won their opening match at the tournament against the Zimbabwean Warriors.

The Pharaohs got their only goal from their winger Mahmoud Hassan who curled home four minutes before the interval to reward the Pharaohs for a dominant first-half display.

Zimbabwe put a good fight particularly in the second half but the home side held on.

Despite the win, it was a different night for Liverpool forward Mo Salah who could not produce his magic against Zimbabwe in Egypt.

Knowledge Musona had a shot blocked as Zimbabwe attacked. Zimbabwe also nearly got a goal from Zimbabwe’s brightest spark of the night, Khama Billiat, whose effort was however blocked by the Egyptian goal minder in a tricky one-v-one encounter.

Egypt maintained the pressure after the break but Hassan and Salah both missed the target.

The Zimbabwean shot-stopper, Ariel Sibanda, later went off injured after a rough challenge by Hassan. He was replaced by Chipezeze in the 80th minute. Musona was also replaced by the fast-paced Talent Chawapiwa. Rusike also came replacing Mushekwi in the 87th minute.

Egypt tired late on and were almost caught out as Zimbabwe’s Ovidy Karuru shot at Mohamed El-Shenawy from 30 yards.

Zimbabwean Khama Billiat, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs, takes on Tarek Hamed of Egypt. Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP

Below are the full-time statistics.

Egypt v Zimbabwe

Possession: 59%-41%
Corner Kicks: 7-2
Yellow Cards: 0-1
Red Cards: 0-0
Offsides: 0-1
Saves: 2-9
Shots (On Goal): 16 (9)-11 (2)

Zimbabwe will play Uganda on Wednesday and DR Congo on Sunday.

More: Daily Mail UK

Egypt Narrowly Beats Zimbabwean Warriors In The 2019 AFCON Finals Opener

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