AFCON Opener: Why This Egypt Clash Feels Different for Zimbabwe
Everything about the Warriors feels different now.
A new coach with a sharper profile and modern ideas has lifted expectations as Zimbabwe prepare to face old rivals Egypt in their AFCON Group B opener at the Stade de Agadir tonight. Kick-off is at 10pm.
Back home, the match coincides with National Unity celebrations, adding extra meaning. As festivities unfold across the country, attention will turn to Morocco, where Zimbabweans will unite behind the Warriors during the festive season — a first for the national team at AFCON.
That timing has deepened the hunger. While families gather at home, the players will be carrying national hopes under foreign lights, fully aware of the support behind them.
History, however, favours Egypt. Tonight marks the third time the two sides meet in an AFCON opening match. On Zimbabwe’s debut in 2004, the Warriors lost 2–1 despite taking the lead through Peter Ndlovu. In 2019, it was another narrow opening-day defeat, this time 1–0.
Agadir offers a chance to change that story.
All 27 players in camp are fit and ready, with coach Marian Marinică urging the nation to rally behind his “fast and very fast” football philosophy. He insists Zimbabwe are in Morocco to compete, not participate.
The task is difficult, but not impossible. Six years ago, the Warriors showed they could disrupt Egypt, even limiting talisman Mohamed Salah for long spells. What proved costly then was not belief, but a lack of organisation.
This time, preparation feels deeper. Marinică brings AFCON experience and confidence, having previously guided Malawi into the knockout stages. He believes Zimbabwe have the quality to surprise.
The Warriors arrived in Agadir from Marrakech on Saturday and bonded along the beach, enjoying rare winter sunshine. Their clash with Egypt follows the Group B opener between Angola and South Africa. After tonight, Zimbabwe face Angola on Boxing Day before closing their group campaign against South Africa national football team three days later.
But every campaign starts somewhere.
Whatever the Warriors hope to build in Morocco begins under the floodlights tonight.