Egypt vs Zimbabwe Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Egypt appear to be much-improved Africa’s most successful country try and go deep into the CAF Africa Cup of Nations once again, beginning against Zimbabwe on Monday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Matches will be televised across the Channel 4 network / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – All 4 & Channel 4 Sport YouTube / USA – beIN Sports Connect & Fubo
Egypt preview: Strong Egyptians
With stars such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, Egypt eased to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, coached by Hossam Hassan, have been much-improved in the last 18 months or so.
The seven-time African champions, nicknamed The Pharaohs, have reached the final of five of the last AFCONs that they have qualified for, but they were knocked out in the round of 16 of the tournament last year in the Ivory Coast.
Zimbabwe preview: Average Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe struggled badly in their qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in what was admittedly a tough group, and they are expected to struggle quite badly in what is a tough Group B in Morocco.
The Zimbabweans are without captain Marshall Munetsi, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder having been ruled out for a month or so, and Romanian coach Mario Marinica has his work cut out.
Egypt team news: Salah & Marmoush the stars
There is a lot of experience in the Egyptian squad, with the squad and side built around those aforementioned stars of Salah and Marmoush in the final third.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): El Shenawy; Hany, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hamdy; Saber, Attia; Salah, Marmoush, Trezeguet; Mostafa Mohamed
Unavailable:
Questionable: Fathy (Injured)
Zimbabwe team news: Replacing Munetsi
Mario Marinica has a limited squad and, now without captain Munetsi, there is extra importance on experienced midfield duo Marvelous Nakamba and Andy Rinomhota.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Arubi; Lukwara, Garananga, Galloway; Fusire, Nakamba, Rinomhota, Musona; Chirewa, Maswanhise, Dube
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Egypt vs Zimbabwe prediction
Zimbabwe have a very limited squad and they have done very well to even qualify for this competition. The fact that their already average side is now missing their key man is only going to make things even harder for them, and goals are extremely dry. Egypt will be expected to win, and they could win by a few with their key men in attack, but, in their opening game, ensuring they avoid any hiccups at the back will be of paramount importance for the north Africans.
Egypt vs Zimbabwe tip: Egypt to win to nil
