Egypt defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations opener in Group A on Friday evening.
The North Africans drew up an offensive line-up which included a certain Mohamed Salah, whilst Khama Billiat debunked an injury scare to lead the Warriors attack. During the warm-up, injury reigned in after Ayman Elsayed replaced Ayman Mansour who pulled up in the preparatory lead up.
Buoyed by a boisterous home crowd, the Egyptians started strongly as Zimbabwe shot-stopper Edmore Sibanda turned Salah's second minute effort for a corner.
The Zimbabweans held on for dear life afterwards, as Abdallah El-Said and Trezeguet failed to finish off inviting openings.
Although nine minutes to the interval Billiat failed to capitalise from a quickly taken free-kick, as Mohamed El-Shennawy narrowed the down the angle.
The Egyptians broke through 41 minutes in after Mahmoud Trezeguet drove through into the area to find the bottom corner with a neat finish.
After a fiery opening half, Egypt got off to a lukewarm second half with Sibanda forced to keep out Trezeguet and Salah.
Egypt introduced a change a minute before the 60th minute mark, with Mohamed Mohsen making way for Walid Soliman.
Momentum remained with the Egyptians six minutes later, as Sibanda denied Salah five metres from goal following a through ball.
With 79 minutes played, Zimbabwe were forced into a substitution, as Elvis Chipezeze replaced Sibanda through injury, while Evans Rusike and Talent Chawapihwa were called upon minutes later.
Salah looked to have wrapped up the contest with a toe-poke from the right after 87 minutes, but Chipezeze got down to make a save as the encounter 1-0 in favour of the hosts.