Hosts Egypt beat Zimbabwe in Africa Cup of Nations opener

Mohamed Salah’s Egypt started their bid for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Friday with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in Cairo in the opening game of a tournament expanded to 24 teams and played in June and July for the first time.

Liverpool star Salah, on a redemption mission with Egypt after injury derailed a miserable World Cup campaign last year, looked sharp although the hosts needed a 41st-minute goal by Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan to get off to a winning start in Group A.

Egypt’s forward Mohamed Salah (L) and Egypt’s midfielder Tarek Hamed (R) congratulate Egypt’s midfielder Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan (C) on his goal during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Cairo International Stadium on June 21, 2019. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)