Exclusive interview with Zimbabwe goalkeeping coach Pernell McKop, who worked with Bruce Grobbelaar in the 1990s and suffered at the hands of another Liverpool legend, Mohamed Salah, at AFCON
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah scores the team's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) group B football match between Egypt and Zimbabwe at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 22, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah scores Egypt's winner against Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations
View Image
(Image: FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah has been described as a difference-maker for Egypt following his goalscoring exploits in the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah is currently with the Egyptian national team in Morocco where he opened his AFCON campaign in typical fashion by scoring the match-winning goals in the Pharaohs’ first two Group B matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The 33-year-old's impressive form in front of goal helped the record seven-time champions progress from the group stage and set up a round of 16 encounter against Benin in Agadir tomorrow (Monday).
However, while Salah has been grabbing headlines in the north of Africa, his exploits had a devastating impact in the south of continent where Zimbabwe were left reeling after previously suffering a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their opening match.
The Liverpool forward was the catalyst for his country that day after scoring a dramatic injury-time winner to complete a come-from-behind victory, a result that still troubles the Warriors’ goalkeeper coach, Pernell McKop.
“We looked good value for a point against Egypt, but the two goals we conceded were goals that we gave away against a very good side,” McKop, who notably worked with Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar in the Zimbabwe camp in the 1990s, lamented.
“For 90 minutes we contained them and then for one minute, in the 91st minute, we dropped our concentration and Salah struck. That’s Salah though, he does that week in and week out at Liverpool, and we unfortunately experienced it in action.
“The bottom line is that we should never have given him that room. We defended well and restricted them to shots from distance, and when they did get into the box, Washington Arubi was able to make the saves, so it was disappointing to lose that way.
“The goal came at a time when we thought that not only could we get a point, but that we could possibly win the game. The disappointment afterwards was quite devastating, especially after playing so well and having created a few chances ourselves.
“But, in the end it’s just about that individual quality. You go to sleep for one second and that’s all a player like Salah needs.
“Our defender, Teenage Hadebe, did a splendid job over the 90 minutes to contain him and limit his chances, and we did limit his chances, but just in that split second, he was the difference maker and all the hard work was undone.
“It was a goal that took a lot out of us, especially being our first game of the tournament and in a game where you think you’ll maybe get three points, then a point instead, and then it all gets snatched away from you in the dying minutes.
“It hurt, but we learned from it, and we were much better in our next matches against Angola and South Africa, albeit that we weren’t ultimately able to progress.”
McKop, who doubles as a goalkeeper coach for South African Premiership club Stellenbosch FC, was cautious when asked about the Egyptians’ chances of winning a record-extending eighth AFCON crown despite possessing Salah’s firepower.
“Whether Egypt can go on and win the tournament, I think will be quite difficult,” he concluded. “They rely a lot on Salah, Omar Marmoush, and one or two other individuals in the final third, and I don’t think they’ve evolved into a side that plays as a team yet.
“They are a solid side defensively, because they defend in numbers, but it will be difficult for them. Individual quality could get them over the line, but these days you need a team effort to be combined with that individual quality.
“I can see them going far in the tournament but not winning it."
You can follow Liam Bekker on X - @LiamBekker