Thanks to a brace against Malawi (5-0) in Cairo, Mohamed Salah has taken his international tally to 70 goals and overtaken former head coach Hossam Hassan. The Egypt captain, who plays for Trabzonspor, sets the record at 34 and in 121 caps.
Cairo witnessed history written in two stages. In Egypt’s 5-0 win over Malawi on matchday 3 of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, Mohamed Salah first equalled, then broke the Pharaohs’ international goalscoring record, according to Foot Africa and Goal.
The Egypt captain, now at Trabzonspor after leaving Liverpool, reaches 70 goals in the national shirt at 34 and in 121 caps, report OnzeMondial and SBS News. The record had been held by Hossam Hassan until now.
A header, then a Panenka
The match was already settled by half-time, with Egypt leading 3-0 through Nasser Maher (6th), Omar Marmoush (10th) and Mohamed Hany (39th), according to Foot Africa.
The first of his brace came from a header in the 84th minute from an Ibrahim Adel cross: it drew him level with Hossam Hassan on 69 goals. The second, a penalty in the 90+5th, took his tally to 70 and put him out on his own at the top, according to Goal and OnzeMondial.
The winning penalty was a coolly taken “Panenka”, reports Goal.
Salah on the African podium
Hossam Hassan, former Egypt head coach and the previous record holder, therefore gives up his place at the summit. According to OnzeMondial, Salah climbs onto the podium of Africa’s top international scorers, behind Godfrey Chitalu (79 goals) and Kinnah Phiri (71).
The debate over the validity of the record was settled off the pitch: FIFA confirmed it counts, as reported by Goal.com Français.
Maher celebrates first win
The win also bears the mark of Ali Maher, the Egypt head coach, who was celebrating his first victory in charge of the Egyptian side, according to SBS News. With the 5-0, the Pharaohs go top of Group B in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Egypt still have the rest of the qualifying campaign to play. Salah, for his part, continues his career at Trabzonspor after the international break.