Salah's late strike saves Egypt's blushes against Zimbabwe at Cup of Nations

Egypt skipper Mohamed Salah scored his side's second goal in the 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. © AFP / FRANCK FIFE

Mohamed Salah struck an injury-time winner on Monday night against Zimbawe to launch Egypt's bid for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations title.

The inconsistent form of the Egypt skipper at his English Premier League outfit Liverpool overshadowed his side's preparation for the game in Agadir.

But in the prelude to the kick-off, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan backed the 33-year-old to shrug off his domestic cub woes to inspire the national squad.

That faith looked misplaced 20 minutes into the encounter when Zimbabwe striker Prince Dube rose to head Emmanuel Jalai's cross from the right wing past the Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy.

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Egypt dominated possession as they sought an equaliser and the Zimbabweans eventually folded under the pressure. Omar Marmosuh levelled in the 66th minute.

And Salah stole the headlines. He latched on to Mostafa Mohamed's pass and fired the ball past the Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi who had made a string of saves to thwart Egypt.

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The victory took Egypt level with South Africa on three points in Group B after they saw off a stubborn Angola side 2-1 in Marrakech.

Oswin Appollis opened the scoring with a low strike midway through the first-half.

South African joy was fleeting though. Show equalised in the 35th minute but Lyle Foster atoned for squandering a good chance minutes earlier when he curled home the winner 11 minutes from time.

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In Group A, Zambia struck late in Casablanca to deny Mali the spoils.

Patson Daka levelled in the second minute of second-half stoppage-time to cancel out Lassine Sinayoko's opener on the hour mark.

The stalemate puts hosts Morocco in control of Group A following their 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday night in Rabat.

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And Walid Regragui's men can secure a berth in the last-16 with a win over Mali on Sunday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.