Egypt captain Mohamed Salah finally broke his months-long post-match silence on social media — sharing a selfie with teammate Omar Marmoush following Egypt’s thrilling Africa Cup of Nations opening win against Zimbabwe in Morocco. The image marked his first celebratory match-day selfie since April, ending a notable stretch without the kind of social media celebration that fans had grown accustomed to during his club and international successes.
The moment came after a dramatic Group B clash in Agadir, where Egypt trailed 1-0 in the first half before staging a stirring comeback. Marmoush — the Manchester City forward — equalized midway through the second half with a powerful and decisive finish that brought Egypt level. Then, deep into stoppage time, Salah delivered the winner, firing home a brilliant instinctive finish to secure a 2-1 victory and give the Pharaohs a perfect start to their AFCON campaign.
For Salah, the selfie wasn’t just a typical social post — it carried emotional weight. The Liverpool star has endured a turbulent period dating back several weeks at his club, where limited playing time and a very public dispute with manager Arne Slot dominated headlines. After being dropped for consecutive matches and expressing frustration in interviews, Salah eventually apologised to teammates and refocused on international duty.
That backdrop made his latest social engagement significant. On platforms like Instagram and X, fans noticed the selfie amid a flurry of reactions celebrating not only Egypt’s win but also the return of Salah’s signature post-match imagery. Some supporters even joked about how much they’d missed his energetic celebrations and selfies amid a season that had felt uncharacteristically muted from their talisman.
The selfie itself — widely shared by Egyptian supporters — showed Salah smiling beside Marmoush, both wearing Pharaohs training gear and radiating post-match relief and joy. It was a moment of connection with fans, reaffirming why Salah remains one of Egypt’s most beloved sporting icons. He has long been known for blending world-class football with heartfelt engagement with followers across social platforms.
For Marmoush, the photo was also symbolic. The 26-year-old, who recently joined Manchester City, has been one of Egypt’s standout attacking talents, and his role in the opener underlined just how crucial he’s become alongside Salah. Their partnership at AFCON is being viewed by many as one of balance — combining Salah’s experience and influence with Marmoush’s youthful energy and directness.
Egypt now head into their next Group B fixtures against South Africa on Boxing Day and Angola a few days later, buoyed by momentum and a crucial three points. Salah’s goal was more than just a late winner; it was a possible psychological turning point in a tournament that has eluded him throughout his glistening career. Despite two AFCON final defeats — in 2017 and 2021 — the Egypt skipper has never won Africa’s premier international trophy.
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