Egypt vs Zimbabwe Prediction & Betting Tips (22 December)

Often considered one of the major nations in African football, Egypt has however not won the African Cup of Nations since the 2010 edition. An eternity for this team which will be expected at a much better level than in 2023 when it was eliminated in the 1/8 finals. The Pharaohs had no problem qualifying for this 2025 edition by finishing at the top of their group ahead of Botswana, Mauritania and Cape Verde. They then finished as leader of their World Cup qualifiers ahead of Bukina Faso, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Ethiopia and Djibouti to validate their ticket to America. If the Egyptians had not shone during their last international gathering by losing to Uzbekistan 2-0 then being held in check by Cape Verde 1-1 during 2 friendly matches, they won their final preparation match on Tuesday at home against a diminished Nigeria 2-1. Zimbabwe, for its part, is far from being a reference on a continental scale and even less globally.

Indeed, this selection has never played in the slightest World Cup and it has also not made it past the group stage during its first 5 participations in an African Cup of Nations. To reach this 2025 edition, Michael Nees' men took 2nd place in their group behind Cameroon but ahead of Kenya and Namibia. The Warriors, on the other hand, experienced a nightmare during their qualifiers for the World Cup, finishing last in their group behind South Africa, Nigeria, Benin, Lesotho and Rwanda, without the slightest victory on the clock after 10 matches. Last month, the 129th nation in the FIFA rankings lost in a friendly against Algeria 3-1 but found a smile again a few days later by defeating Qatar 1-2. 

Although he is in difficulty and even sidelined with Liverpool, the formidable Mohamed Salah (107, 61 goals) of course remains the headliner of this Egyptian delegation. At his side, we find the very interesting Marmoush (40 sels, 8 goals), who plays little at Manchester City, and the more experienced Mostafa Mohamed (53 sels, 13 goals) who wears the colors of FC Nantes. Otherwise, the vast majority of other players in this selection play in the country or in the Gulf championships. We can of course cite among them the excellent Trezeguet (Al Ahly, 86 selections, 22 goals). Conversely, the centenarian Mohamed Elneny (ex Arsenal, 105 sels, 8 goals) and the experienced El Solia (54 sels) and Afsha (24 sels, 6 goals) were not selected for this competition. On the Zimbabwean side, a few players called up wear the colors of European teams.

We think of defenders Galloway (Plymouth) and Garanaga (FC Copenhagen), midfielders Padera (SJK), Fusire (Sheffield Wednesday), Fabisch (Erzebirge Aue) and even Nakamba (Luton Town). Executives Chirewa (11 sel) and Munetsi (37 sel) are playing for Wolverhampton. Absent in November, the former Le Havre and Lyonnais Tino Kadewere (Aris Thessaloniki) is not sure of being able to hold his position. On the other hand, the attackers Musona (26 goals in 53 seasons) and Billiat (18 goals in 61 seasons) will undoubtedly be present, both of whom wear the colors of the local Scottland club.