Egypt right-back Mohamed Hany in action during the match against Zimbabwe. Photo courtesy of EFA.
Egypt defender Mohamed Hany has described the 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in the opening round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a vital morale booster for the team.
Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time goal secured a dramatic win for Egypt in their Group stage opener on Monday.
“The victory is a morale booster for the team as we begin the tournament,” Hany said in a post-match interview.
“We controlled the game from the start but missed early chances that could have changed the course of the match if we had taken them,” he said.
Egypt will face South Africa in their next Group match on Friday.
“We’ll start preparing for the South Africa game in the coming days and will build on today’s victory,” Hany added.
The win puts Egypt at the top of the group with three points, level with South Africa, who defeated Angola earlier in the day.
Meanwhile, defender Yasser Ibrahim also reflected on the missed opportunities but emphasized that the hard-fought victory will inspire the team for the challenges ahead.
“We will put the Zimbabwe win behind us and focus on preparing for the South Africa game with the coaching staff,” Ibrahim said.
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