Egypt and Zimbabwe meet in an Africa Cup of Nations tie on Monday 22nd December 2025 at 20:00 GMT. Find predictions, stats and betting tips for this AFCON fixture below in this match preview.
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Africa Cup of Nations |
| Matchday | 1 |
| Date | Monday 22 December 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 20:00 GMT |
| Venue | Adrar Stadium, Agadir |
| Broadcast | All 4 |
| Market | Prediction | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Result | Egypt to win | ★★★★☆ |
| Correct Score | Egypt 1-0 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Both Teams to Score | No | ★★★☆☆ |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 | ★★★☆☆ |
Analysis: With Egypt heavily favoured but lacking recent data to suggest a rout, a narrow 1-0 home win stands out. Historically, Egypt are disciplined at the back and often rely on moments of individual quality, particularly from their attacking talents. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are organised but rarely prolific scorers, especially away from home. The value in the 1-0 correct score stems from Egypt’s likely dominance in possession but a pragmatic approach in opening fixtures. Odds of 4/1 offer a strong return for a plausible outcome, especially given the lack of head-to-head goal-fests between these sides.
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Analysis: Mohamed Salah is Egypt’s talisman and main attacking outlet. While recent issues have muddied the waters at Liverpool, Salah’s pedigree is unmatched in this fixture, and he regularly delivers in competitive internationals. Zimbabwe’s defensive line, while robust, may struggle to contain his movement and ability to find space. In a game where the margin could be tight, expect Salah to be the focal point for chances and penalties.
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Egypt historically enjoy a strong home record in AFCON qualifiers and finals, typically conceding fewer than one goal per game on home soil. The squad includes proven international performers and a deep attacking line-up led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
Zimbabwe enter this fixture also without recent competitive data in the current AFCON season. The squad features a mix of domestic and overseas professionals, with defensive resilience as a hallmark. However, scoring away from home has traditionally been a challenge for the Warriors.
Egypt, under coach Hossam Hassan, are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, controlling possession and utilising width. The focus will be on quick transitions, with Salah and Trézéguet offering penetration from wide areas. Expect Egypt to press high and look for early breakthroughs, but also maintain defensive solidity with a double pivot in midfield.
Zimbabwe, led by M. Marinică, are likely to set up in a 4-5-1 or 4-4-2, prioritising defensive organisation and compactness. Their strategy will revolve around frustrating Egypt, seeking to exploit set-pieces and quick breaks through attackers like M. Bonne and T. Maswanhise. Expect a disciplined block and an emphasis on counter-attacks.
| Statistic | Egypt | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| League Position | N/A | N/A |
| Goals Scored | 0 | 0 |
| Goals Conceded | 0 | 0 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | N/A | N/A |
| xGA (Expected Goals Against) | N/A | N/A |
| 24 May 2004 | Egypt v Zimbabwe | L | 2-0 | International Friendly |
| 05 Jan 2006 | Egypt v Zimbabwe | L | 2-0 | International Friendly |
| 26 Mar 2013 | Egypt v Zimbabwe | L | 2-1 | FIFA World Cup |
| 09 Jun 2013 | Zimbabwe v Egypt | L | 2-4 | FIFA World Cup |
| 21 Jun 2019 | Egypt v Zimbabwe | L | 1-0 | Africa Cup of Nations |
Mohamed Salah is Egypt’s captain and attacking lynchpin. He is renowned for his ability to create and convert chances, regularly exceeding 20 goals per season in the Premier League and often carrying Egypt in major tournaments. Expect Salah to be pivotal in link-up play, driving at Zimbabwe’s defence, and likely stepping up for penalty duties. His presence alone can unsettle opposition backlines, and his eye for goal makes him the most likely player to break the deadlock in a cagey opener.
Q: Who is the favourite to win the Egypt vs. Zimbabwe match?
A: Egypt are strong favourites to win, with odds as short as 4/11 and a clear advantage in squad strength and home advantage.
Q: What are the best betting odds for this match?
A: Best odds for Egypt to win are 4/11. For a value bet, Egypt to win 1-0 is priced at 4/1. Both Teams to Score (No) is 2/5, and a draw is up to 10/3.
Q: Where can I watch the Egypt vs. Zimbabwe match?
A: The match will be available on All 4 in the UK.
This Africa Cup of Nations clash sees Egypt enter as clear favourites against Zimbabwe. The hosts have a wealth of attacking options, led by Mohamed Salah, and are likely to control proceedings. Zimbabwe’s challenge will be to remain organised and frustrate, but their lack of attacking threat may limit their chances. Key betting angles include a narrow Egypt win and a focus on Salah as a match-winner. Both teams are starting their campaigns, so a cautious approach is expected, with value found in correct score and player prop markets.
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