Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s record goalscorer after scoring twice in a 5-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victory over Malawi in Cairo.
The 34-year-old former Liverpool star moved clear of Hossam Hassan with two late goals. He headed in at the far post after 84 minutes before converting a penalty five minutes into added time to take his international tally to 70.
Egypt had already taken control before half-time in Ali Maher’s first match as coach. Nasser Maher, Omar Marmoush and Mohamed Hany put the hosts 3-0 ahead.
Hassan was dismissed as Egypt manager last week. The result leaves Egypt top of Group B with seven points from three matches, three ahead of Angola, who host South Sudan on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Achraf Hakimi scored twice as Group A leaders Morocco defeated Niger 5-1 in Casablanca. Hakimi is favourite to win a second successive African Footballer of the Year award next month.
Nigeria revive qualifying hopes
Nigeria recovered from a poor start to beat Tanzania 3-1 in Uyo, with substitute Tolu Arokodaro scoring twice in eight minutes.
Alhassan Yusuf gave Nigeria the lead after 103 seconds, but Alphonce Msanga levelled in the 32nd minute after a rare Tanzanian attack.
Arokodaro, who has scored six goals in his past five matches for Ajax Amsterdam, was introduced at half-time. He restored Nigeria’s advantage after 52 minutes with a near-post back heel from a low cross, then added a second close-range finish shortly after the hour mark.
The result moved the Super Eagles to six points after three Group L matches, one behind Guinea-Bissau, who drew 1-1 with Madagascar on Thursday.
Tanzania, despite sitting bottom with one point, are guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Uganda. Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Madagascar are therefore competing for one qualifying place at the 24-nation tournament, which will be the first staged in east Africa since Ethiopia hosted it in 1976.
Nigeria’s 3-0 defeat by Guinea-Bissau two months ago had left them under pressure, but victories away to Tanzania on Tuesday and Madagascar in March, together with a home win over Guinea-Bissau in March, would secure qualification for the three-time champions.
Tunisia suffer setback
Tunisia’s hopes of extending their run of appearances at every AFCON tournament since 1994 were damaged by a 2-0 home defeat by neighbours Libya.
Ali Youssef scored from the penalty spot in the 44th minute and former Esperance player Hamdou Elhouni added Libya’s second after 62 minutes. The result lifted Libya from bottom to joint-top of Group H on four points with Uganda.
Botswana and Tunisia have two points each. Tunisia’s remaining three matches are all away after a venue switch two months ago, while Uganda host Botswana in Kampala on Saturday.
South Africa were held to a 2-2 draw by Kenya after Ryan Ogam equalised in the final minute of normal time. The match featured South African coaches Pitso Mosimane, in charge of Bafana Bafana, and Benni McCarthy, who leads the Harambee Stars.
McCarthy, a former member of the Manchester United coaching staff, was the happier manager at the final whistle. South Africa remain top of Group D on seven points, with Guinea on six, Kenya on two and Eritrea on one.
