Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Egypt stayed unbeaten at AFCON after drawing 0-0 with Angola in their final Group B match, with Mohamed Salah unused on the bench. The Pharaohs had already secured a last-16 spot, so the result was about managing minutes rather than chasing goals. Coach Hossam Hassan rotated heavily and also rested Omar Marmoush, keeping key players fresh for the knockouts. Egypt had qualified via earlier wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, then closed the group with a clean sheet at Adrar Stadium in Morocco.
Mohamed Salah
December 2025
Egypt needed late magic from Mohamed Salah to secure a 2-1 win over Zimbabwe, coming from behind after wasting a dominant first half before Marmoush equalised and Salah struck in stoppage time to avoid an embarrassing start to their AFCON campaign. Operating with more freedom than at Liverpool, Salah roamed centrally and from the right, repeatedly creating chances before his influence dipped, then reappeared at the death when he teed up Zizo, missed further openings and finally swivelled inside the box to smash home the decisive half-volley.
Pep Guardiola
November 2025
Manchester City supporters were stunned to see Guardiola make ten changes for the Champions League meeting with Leverkusen, leaving Haaland on the bench and retaining only Nico Gonzalez from the weekend defeat at Newcastle, prompting jokes that the XI looked like a Carabao Cup lineup. James Trafford was recalled for his first start in a month and Omar Marmoush tasked with leading the line, turning the tie into a major audition for fringe players. After the 2-1 loss at Newcastle, the heavy rotation raised questions about rhythm, risk and Guardiola’s priorities.
