Egypt vs Zimbabwe Predictions

Egypt are the bookmakers’ favourites to claim the Africa Cup of Nations title in their own backyard this year, but Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast are all tipped to challenge the Pharaohs for their crown. Zimbabwe are one of the many rank outsiders for the title this year but do possess some quality players that could cause Egypt some problems in Friday’s opening match.

Marwan Mohsen scored after eleven minutes to hand Egypt the lead in their final warm-up game against Guinea, and that goal proved enough to separate the two countries at the halfway point. Guinea equalised shortly after the hour mark through Kaba, but Egypt restored their one-goal advantage through Ahmed Ali thirteen minutes from time and Omar Gaber sealed a 3-1 win with the games’ final goal in the eighty-sixth minute. Zimbabwe rested many of the players expected to face Egypt on Friday when they took on Tanzania in their final friendly before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Knox Mutizwa scored to help his side to a 1-1 draw.

The head to head record between these two countries and both teams form and performances over the last six international matches, suggests that Egypt will win and under 2.5 goals will be scored in the process. Egypt have won each of their four previous encounters with Zimbabwe. The tournament hosts and favourites have won four of their last six international matches, while Zimbabwe have only won one of their last four international matches, a penalty shoot-out against Lesotho. Under 2.5 goals have been scored in four of Egypt’s and five of Zimbabwe’s last six matches, which is why we’re backing a narrow 1-0 win for Egypt on Friday.

Mohamed Salah is coming into the tournament on the back of another successful season with Liverpool and is Egypt’s main source of goals, having netted 39 in 63 appearances for his country. Anderlecht striker Knowledge Musona has a fine international record of 22 goals in 37 caps and along with midfielder Khama Billiat could cause the Egypt defence a few issues on Friday. We’re confident that Egypt will win and that under 2.5 goals will be scored, and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-0 to the hosts. Egypt have won each of their four matches against Zimbabwe, but both teams head into the game having seen the majority of their recent international matches produce under 2.5 goals. There is a lot of pressure on the hosts and we have seen them, even with Salah up front, fail to produce their best form during the early stages of the Africa Cup of Nations, which is another reason why we’re only expecting a narrow victory.