Mohamed Salah scored twice on Friday as Egypt beat Malawi 5-0 in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in Cairo, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer with 70 goals. The 34-year-old former Liverpool forward overtook Hossam Hassan late in the match, heading in from the far post in the 84th minute and converting a penalty five minutes into added time.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Tunisia suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Libya, while Kenya scored in the final minute to earn a 2-2 draw away to South Africa.
Egypt’s new coach starts with a comfortable win
Hassan was dismissed as Egypt’s coach the previous week, and his replacement, Ali Maher, made a strong start. Goals from Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Hany put Egypt 3-0 up by half-time. Egypt now have seven points from three matches in Group B, three more than Angola, who host South Sudan on Saturday.
Nigeria and Morocco post convincing wins in qualifiers
Achraf Hakimi, who is the favourite to win a second successive African Footballer of the Year award next month, scored twice as Group A pacesetters Morocco crushed Niger 5-1 in Casablanca. In Uyo, Nigeria beat Tanzania 3-1 to get their campaign back on track.
Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria an early lead after 103 seconds, but Alphonce Msanga levelled for Tanzania on 32 minutes following a rare attack. Substitute Tolu Arokodaro, who has scored six goals in his last five matches for Ajax Amsterdam, then changed the game. He scored with a near-post back heel after 52 minutes and struck again from close range as the match reached the hour mark.
The win lifted Nigeria, the Super Eagles, to six points after three rounds in Group L, one behind Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday. Tanzania, bottom with one point, are guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as cohosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. That leaves Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar competing for one remaining place at the 24-nation tournament. Nigeria had been in trouble after a 3-0 defeat in Guinea-Bissau two months ago, but now have a clear path to a tournament they have won three times.
Tunisia’s record of AFCON appearances under threat
Tunisia have reached every AFCON since 1994, but that record is now in peril. Their defeat at home to neighbours Libya leaves them bottom of Group H with just two points. Ali Youssef converted a 44th-minute penalty for Libya, and Hamdou Elhouni, who once played for leading Tunisian club Esperance, doubled the lead in the 62nd minute.
The result lifted Libya from last place to a share of the lead on four points with Uganda, while Botswana and Tunisia have two each. A venue switch two months ago means Tunisia’s remaining three fixtures are all away from home. Uganda host Botswana in Kampala on Saturday.
South Africa and Kenya share points in Group D
The Group D meeting between South Africa and Kenya pitted two South African coaches against each other, with Pitso Mosimane in charge of Bafana Bafana and Benni McCarthy guiding the Harambee Stars. Former Manchester United coaching staffer McCarthy was the happier at full-time, after Ryan Ogam equalised in the final minute of regular time.
From a South African perspective, the draw meant two points were lost, although they remain on top with seven. Guinea have six points, Kenya two and Eritrea one.
