Egypt vs Zimbabwe Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFCON 2025

The Stade Adrar in Agadir hosts a crucial Group B game on December 22, 2025.

Record-holders Egypt confront a determined Zimbabwe side looking to surprise everyone. Egypt enter the tournament under heavy pressure. Mohamed Salah is leading a squad that breezed through the qualifiers unbeaten.

The Pharaohs. A #TotalEnergiesAFCON trademark. 🇪🇬Egypt ready to claim an 8th star in #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 ⭐ pic.twitter.com/RpblKhMkkr

— TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 (@TotalAFCON2025) December 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe return to the African stage hoping to move past their recent poor form. Fans expect an intense game where the Pharaohs will likely dominate possession from the opening whistle. It will force the Warriors to rely on quick counter-attacks and set-piece opportunities to find a breakthrough.

History heavily favours the North African giants, who have won eight of the previous thirteen meetings, but Zimbabwe’s unpredictable nature could complicate matters for Hossam Hassan’s men.

The Warriors rise again 🙌Will Zimbabwe make it to the knock-outs of #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 for the first time? 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/S5aUQ4kBr4

— TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 (@TotalAFCON2025) December 19, 2025

Individual matchups will decide the game’s flow. Liverpool’s Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush bring a dangerous attack that Teenage Hadebe and the Zimbabwe defence must contain for ninety minutes.

Marvellous Nakamba anchors the midfield for the underdogs, where he will aim to disrupt Egypt’s creative flow and launch balls to pacy wingers like Bill Antonio. While pundits overwhelmingly back Egypt to secure all three points and assert early dominance in Group B, the Warriors possess enough raw talent to take advantage of any slip-ups.

Kick-off:

• Location: Agadir, Morocco
• Stadium: Stade Adrar
• Date: Tuesday, December 23
• Kick-off Time: 1:30 AM IST
• Referee: Issa Sy
• VAR: In use

Form:

Egypt (in all competitions): W-L-D-D-D

Zimbabwe (in all competitions): W-L-L-D-L

Players to watch out for:

Omar Marmoush (Egypt):

Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush arrives in Agadir as one of the main men for Egypt. While defenders naturally focus on Salah, Marmoush is the wildcard. He gets past defensive lines with his in-behind runs and great free-kicks that could break Zimbabwe’s resistance all by himself.

Bill Antonio (Zimbabwe):

Bill Antonio, the fast winger from KV Mechelen, is the Warriors’ best weapon against a high defensive line. His 27 appearances and consistent starts in Belgium improved his game. The 23-year-old now has the speed to take advantage of any mistakes.

He offers Zimbabwe a direct route to stretch the Pharaohs on the break.

Match Facts:

• Mohamed Salah loves this fixture, as he netted a ruthless hat-trick against the Warriors during a World Cup qualifier in Harare back in June 2013. That performance remains one of his standout international displays. The Liverpool winger now looks to replicate that finishing form at the Stade Adrar.
• Egypt won the last six meetings between these nations. They remain unbeaten in ten straight games dating back to 1992. Zimbabwe’s only victory over the Pharaohs came more than three decades ago. It was a solitary 2-1 win during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers that few current fans remember.
• The Warriors enter Agadir seeking their first-ever victory in an AFCON opening match. They have drawn one and lost four of their previous five attempts. Hossam Hassan’s men will try to extend this poor run, especially since Egypt defeated Zimbabwe in the opening games of both the 2004 and 2019 tournaments.

Egypt vs Zimbabwe: Betting Tips and Odds

• Egypt to win: 2.20 as per 1xBet.
• Omar Marmoush to score anytime: 2.50 as per Winmatch.
• Egypt to win to nil: 1.95 as per 1Win.

Injuries and Team news:

Mohamed Salah comes into this tournament fully fit. He joined the camp after a public row with Liverpool manager Arne Slot about his playing time. Manager Hossam Hassan has a big problem in defence, though, as key centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem misses the tournament entirely while he recovers from an ACL injury at Nice.

In the attack, Ibrahim Adel gives the team a lift. The winger sprained his ankle in a warm-up friendly against Nigeria. However, medical staff cleared him to play in this opener.

Midfielder Emam Ashour also returns to the squad after shaking off a long-term knock. It is a recovery that gives Egypt a strong midfield to support the attack.

Meanwhile, the Warriors had a rough time during their preparations, which cost the squad its best leaders. Captain and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi misses the whole competition after suffering a serious injury that will sideline him for six weeks. It is a setback that forces Marvellous Nakamba to take the armband.

To make things worse, striker Tino Kadewere sits out the tournament after tearing his medial meniscus. It is an injury that leaves a big gap in the attack that young Bill Antonio must now fill. Coach Marian Marinica has to change his plans, as Khama Billiat also missed the final travelling party.

Head-To-Head stats:

• Overall Record: 13
• Egypt Wins: 8
• Zimbabwe Wins: 1
• Draws: 4

Predicted Starting Lineups:

Egypt’s Predicted Starting Lineup (4-3-3):

Mohamed El Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Rami Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Ahmed Fatouh; Marwan Ateya, Hamdy Fathy, Emam Ashour; Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mostafa Mohamed.

Zimbabwe’s Predicted Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Washington Arubi; Sea Fusire, Teenage Hadebe, Munashe Garananga, Divine Lunga; Marvelous Nakamba, Jonah Fabisch; Bill Antonio, Knowledge Musona, Tawanda Chirewa; Prince Dube.

Match Prediction:

Egypt will likely win this match comfortably because their squad possesses vastly more elite experience and individual quality than the current Zimbabwe selection. While the Warriors might offer some initial resistance, the attacking duo of Salah and Marmoush should eventually break through a defensive line that lacks the speed to track their runs.

Zimbabwe struggled for consistency during their recent 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. The Pharaohs maintained a disciplined and unbeaten streak that signals their readiness for another deep tournament run. Consequently, most experts expect the North African giants to control the tempo from the start and secure three points without much trouble.

Prediction: Egypt 2-0 Zimbabwe

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

Nigeria: NTA Sports 24, SuperSport

UK: Channel 4

USA: beIN Sports

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