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 with a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in Cairo in the opening game.
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. Our aim in this competition is to win the title."
In keeping with April's spectacular tournament draw under the gaze of the Sphinx, a striking 30-minute opening ceremony preceded kick-off in Cairo, where a backdrop of pyramids and statues from Egyptian mythology mixed with elegant dancers set the stage for a fireworks display to illuminate the ground.