Experienced attacker Mohamed Salah scored two goals at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt’s Group B Cup of Nations qualifier. His performance helped the team, led by coach Ali Maher, achieve a strong 5-0 victory over Malawi.
The night was especially memorable for superstar and captain Mohamed Salah, who scored two goals and reached a milestone of 70 international goals, becoming Egypt’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing the previous record of former captain and coach Hossam Hassan.
The Pharaohs wasted no time, breaking the deadlock just six minutes in with Nasser Maher, who netted his first international goal after connecting with a cross from Mohamed Hany on the right side.
Five minutes later, Omar Marmoush doubled Egypt’s advantage by seizing on a defensive blunder from Malawi. Before halftime, Hany turned from provider to scorer in style, launching a stunning first-time shot from 25 meters out after a clearance from the Malawian defense, sending the ball soaring into the top-right corner of Chikooka’s goal.
Salah then added the fourth goal for Egypt in the 84th minute, heading in a cross from Ibrahim Adel from close range. In the dying moments of the match, the referee awarded a penalty to Hamza Abdel Karim, and Salah stepped up to slot home the fifth goal—his record 70th at the international level, solidifying his status as the all-time leading goalscorer for the Pharaohs.
With this victory, Egypt tops Group B with 7 points, leaving Malawi in third place with 3 points. The two teams will meet again next Tuesday in Lilongwe, while Angola, sitting on 4 points, prepares to take on a winless South Sudan this Saturday in Luanda.
