Salah Sets Egypt Scoring Record in 5-0 AFCON Qualifying Win

Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s leading international scorer after scoring twice in a 5-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Malawi.

The forward’s late goals took his international total to 70, moving him beyond former Egypt captain Hossam Hassan’s record.

Salah struck with a far-post header in the 84th minute before converting a penalty five minutes into added time. His goals completed a commanding result for Egypt, who had already established a 3-0 lead by half-time.

Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Hany were also on the scoresheet for Egypt. The result gave the team seven points in Group B after three matches.

Mixed results across the qualifiers

Morocco recorded a 5-1 victory over Niger in Casablanca, with Achraf Hakimi scoring twice. Hakimi has been described as the favourite to win a second successive African Footballer of the Year award the following month.

In Uyo, Nigeria defeated Tanzania 3-1 after substitute Tolu Arokodaro scored twice. The win lifted Nigeria to six points after three rounds in Group L and improved its position in a group also involving Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.

Tanzania are guaranteed a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as cohosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. The tournament is scheduled to be the first edition staged in East Africa since Ethiopia hosted in 1976.

Libya defeated Tunisia 2-0 in Tunisia, leaving the hosts with two points and at the bottom of Group H. Tunisia’s run of reaching every Africa Cup of Nations tournament since 1994 is now under pressure, with the team’s remaining three fixtures all away.

South Africa drew 2-2 with Kenya in Group D. Kenya’s Ryan Ogam equalised in the final minute of regular time, while South Africa remained top of the group with seven points.

Egypt begin new coaching period with a win

Egypt’s victory came after Ali Maher replaced Hossam Hassan as coach. The team made a strong start under its replacement coach, producing three first-half goals before Salah added his record-breaking strikes late in the match.

Nigeria can secure qualification with victories over Tanzania, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau in the specified fixtures. Uganda were scheduled to host Botswana in Kampala, while Angola were scheduled to host South Sudan in other qualifying action.