The Pharaohs looked set for a shock as they came from behind to beat the Warriors thanks to a stoppage-time winner from captain Mohamed Salah.
Zimbabwe stunned the seven-time African champions early on. In the 20th minute, forward Prince Dube finished smartly after a low cross from Emmanuel Jalai, sending the underdogs into a surprise lead at the Stade Adrar.
The goal put Egypt on the back foot despite dominating possession.
Egypt piled on the pressure after the break, creating chance after chance as they searched for an equaliser.
Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Omar Marmoush found space inside the Zimbabwe penalty area and fired a low drive into the net to level the score.
Despite controlling much of the match, with Egypt having more than three times as many shots as their opponents, the deadlock looked set to stand until late drama.
Deep into stoppage time, Salah reacted quickest inside the box and struck a left-foot finish past Zimbabwe's goalkeeper to secure the win for the Pharaohs.
The result keeps Egypt's hopes of progressing from Group B in strong shape and sets up a key game against South Africa next on 26 December.
Zimbabwe, for all their spirited defending and organisation, leaves Morocco knowing they were minutes from a famous point.
Tunisia began their AFCON campaign in emphatic fashion with a 3-1 victory over Uganda in a Group C encounter played in Rabat, a result that ended a 12-year wait for an opening-match win at the finals.
Senegal began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in convincing fashion with a dominant 3-0 win over Botswana in Group D in Tangier, with Nicolas Jackson scoring twice to underline the defending champions' authority.
DR Congo made a winning start to their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on Tuesday with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benin in Rabat, a result that lifted them to the top of Group D.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was full of praise for matchwinner Mohamed Salah following the Liverpool striker's stoppage time goal to seal a 2-1 come-from-behind Africa Cup of Nations opening day win over Zimbabwe.
