A moment of individual brilliance when Egypt needed it most
When Prince Dube put Zimbabwe ahead in the 20th minute at the Grand Stade d'Agadir, Egypt's opening AFCON 2025 fixture threatened to become an early embarrassment for the seven-time champions. Despite dominating possession with nearly 80% of the ball, the Pharaohs found themselves frustrated by Washington Arubi's inspired goalkeeping and Zimbabwe's stubborn defensive structure.
Then came Omar Marmoush.
The Manchester City forward, deployed in an advanced midfield role that allowed him to pull strings between the lines, took matters into his own hands in the 64th minute. Collecting a long ball on the left wing, Marmoush accelerated past his marker with the kind of directness that has become his trademark at the Etihad. What followed was pure quality: a sharp cut inside before unleashing a fierce right-footed strike from what seemed an impossible angle, the ball crashing into the roof of the net.
More than just a supporting act
The narrative around Egypt's attack has long centered on Mohamed Salah. And while the Liverpool captain delivered once again with the stoppage-time winner, this AFCON opener revealed something significant: Egypt now possess a genuine secondary threat capable of deciding matches on his own terms.
Marmoush's statistics tell part of the story:
- 41 caps for Egypt at just 26 years old
- 9 goals and 3 assists for the national team
- Only his second AFCON goal, but arguably his most important
What the numbers don't fully capture is his tactical evolution. At Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has refined Marmoush's game, turning raw pace and power into calculated devastation. Against Zimbabwe, he combined the dribbling audacity of his Eintracht Frankfurt days with the positional intelligence demanded at the highest level of the Premier League.
Tactical implications for Egypt's campaign
Coach Hossam Hassan's decision to use Marmoush in a fluid number 10 position rather than as an out-and-out striker paid dividends. This setup creates a genuine tactical dilemma for opponents: focus on Salah and Marmoush exploits the space, double up on Marmoush and Salah operates with increased freedom.
Zimbabwe discovered this the hard way. Their defensive compactness, which served them well for 64 minutes, ultimately collapsed when forced to track Marmoush's runs from deeper areas.
The coming test against South Africa on December 26 will provide a sterner examination. Bafana Bafana, bronze medallists in 2024, won't afford Egypt the same territorial dominance. But if Marmoush continues operating at this level, the Pharaohs possess the firepower to challenge anyone in Morocco.
A statement of intent
For Salah, AFCON 2025 represents perhaps his final chance to claim continental glory, the one major honour missing from his illustrious career. For Marmoush, it's an opportunity to announce himself on the biggest African stage as more than just a Premier League curiosity.
Against Zimbabwe, he delivered that statement emphatically. Egypt's record eighth AFCON title remains a distant prospect, but with Marmoush finding his international rhythm at the perfect moment, the Pharaohs have reasons for genuine optimism.
