Mohamed Salah scored twice in Egypt’s 5-0 thrashing of Malawi in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday. The double took him to 70 goals, making him the country’s leading all-time scorer.
The 34-year-old former Liverpool star left it late in Cairo to overtake Hossam Hassan. He scored with a far-post header in the 84th minute and from a penalty five minutes into added time.
Hassan was fired as Egypt coach the previous week. Replacement Ali Maher made a perfect start as goals from Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Hany built a 3-0 lead by half-time.
Egypt have seven points in Group B after three matches. That is three more than Angola, who hosted South Sudan on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Achraf Hakimi bagged a brace as Group A pacesetters Morocco crushed Niger 5-1 in Casablanca. Substitute Tolu Arokodaro scored twice within eight minutes as Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo to get their campaign back on track.
Tunisia suffered a shock home 2-0 loss to Libya. Kenya scored in the final minute to snatch a surprise 2-2 draw away to South Africa.
Alhassan Yusuf put Nigeria ahead after just 103 seconds. Alphonce Msanga equalised on 32 minutes following a rare Tanzanian attack.
Arokodaro came off the bench for the second half and quickly made an impact. He scored his first with a near-post back heel after 52 minutes and added another from close range near the hour mark.
The victory lifted the Super Eagles to six points after three rounds in Group L, one point behind Guinea-Bissau. Tanzania are guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as cohosts with Kenya and Uganda.
Tunisia are in Group H. Their record of reaching every AFCON tournament since 1994 is in peril after a 2-0 defeat at home to neighbours Libya.
Ali Youssef converted a 44th-minute penalty for Libya. Hamdou Elhouni doubled the lead in the 62nd minute, leaving Tunisia bottom of the table with just two points.
