Egypt v Zimbabwe live: Africa Cup of Nations 2025 latest score and updates as Mohamed Salah begins tournament

Before travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah apologised to his Liverpool team-mates for his controversial interview at Elland Road when he said he had been thrown under the bus by the club.

Midfielder Curtis Jones revealed that Salah was remorseful towards his team-mates after creating a storm when he accused Liverpool of breaking promises to him, said he had no relationship with manager Arne Slot and brought his future at Anfield into doubt.

The Africa Cup of Nations will be held every four years instead of two from 2028, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.

The tournament has traditionally been held biennially since its inception in 1957. The surprise announcement was made on the eve of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.

It follows a meeting of the CAF executive committee in Rabat, with president Patrice Motsepe announcing the major change in a press conference in Rabat.

The Africa Cup of Nations was initially intended to be held in July and August 2025, in order to avoid disruption with the European football season, but was then moved to avoid the expanded Club World Cup.

CAF president Motsepe said a new Nations League tournament would be played from 2029 – adding that switching the Africa Cup of Nations to every four years would “ensure more synchronisation with the Fifa calendar”.

Egypt XI: El Shenawy, Hany, Ibrahim, Abdelmaguid, Hamdy, Fathy, Ashour, Attia, Salah, Trezeguet, Marmoush

Zimbabwe XI: Arubi, Murwira, Garan’anga, Takwara, Hadebe, Nakamba, Jalai, Fabisch, Dube, Msendami, Navaya

In case you missed it, action in Group B kicked off earlier this evening, with South Africa winning an entertaining tussle with Angola to get their campaign off to a fine start.

The expansion of the Club World Cup and Champions League means Afcon will be played over Christmas and the New Year period for the first time.

A superb acrobatic effort from Ayoub El Kaabi sealed a routine victory for hosts Morocco in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco dominated from the opening stages in Rabat, enjoying plenty of possession but struggling to break down a resolute Comoros defence, with visiting goalkeeper Yannick Pandor saving an early Rahimi penalty.

Frustration began creeping in among the home fans as the first half ended goalless but they were soon encouraged after the break, with a renewed intensity from the hosts bringing the opening goal as Brahim Diaz fired in from Noussair Mazraoui’s cutback.

The Atlas Lions were able to totally dominate the game from there – with Rafiki Said providing the only Comoros chance as he forced a good save from Bounou – before El Kaaba’s stunning overhead scissor-kick effort sealed the three points on 74 minutes, giving the hosts the ideal start to a tournament many expect them to win next month.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has backed Mohamed Salah to return to form at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old forward has not scored since November 1, a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

“Salah’s morale in training is very high, as if he were just starting out with the national team, and I believe he will have a great tournament with his country,” Hassan said.

“The same situation happened with Salah when he went through a period of not scoring goals with Liverpool.

“Then he returned to the right path through the national team and as a result he came back at a level even better than before. I believe he will deliver a strong tournament alongside his teammates.”

Egypt are the most successful side in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with seven titles – but they have not lifted the trophy with Salah and their last success came in 2010.

Salah has finished runner-up twice, in 2017 and 2021, where Egypt lost to Senegal and Salah was denied by Liverpool team-mate Sadio Mane.

Egypt tournament in 2023/24 when they failed to win a game and were knocked out on penalties in the last-16.

All eyes are on Mohamed Salah as he begins his Africa Cup of Nations campaign following his explosive last few weeks at Liverpool – where he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” and was dropped before subsequently apologising.

He’s suffered heartbreak at this tournament in the past and, amid doubts over his fading powers, it would be typical Salah to respond to a poor season by firing Egypt to the title in Morocco.

It’s that time again for Mohamed Salah and Egypt. The country’s greatest ever player begins his quest for glory with the continent’s most successful side. Can Salah and Egypt win the Africa Cup of Nations together? They begin their campaign this evening against Zimbabwe.