Mohamed Salah’s Egypt started their bid for a record-extending eighth Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Friday with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in Cairo in the opening game of a tournament expanded to 24 teams and played in June and July for the first time. Liverpool star Salah, on a redemption mission with Egypt after injury derailed a miserable World Cup campaign last year, looked sharp although the hosts needed a 41st-minute goal by Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan to get off to a winning start in Group A. Man of the match Mahmoud Alaa said after the victory: “I congratulate all the Egyptian people on the first win.”The defender added: “We should be better in the upcoming matches. Assistant coach Hany Ramzy said: “These are the first three points in a long competition. Guinea meanwhile take on Madagascar, the second of three countries appearing in the event for the first time.

Source: Pakistan Today June 22, 2019 00:22 UTC