Egypt 5-0 Malawi: Salah Breaks Record on Ali Maher’s Debut

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers, Group B, Matchday 3. Cairo International Stadium. Friday 13 November 2026

The Result

Egypt tore Malawi apart 5-0 to open new coach Ali Maher’s era. Mohamed Salah scored twice late on and took his international tally to 70, passing Hossam Hassan’s record.

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Background

Maher took charge less than 48 hours before the camp began. He replaced Hassan, who was sacked on 7 November over off-field controversies. Egypt had opened the qualifiers with a goalless home draw against Angola before thrashing South Sudan 5-0 away.

First half: three goals and no way back for Malawi

Nasser Maher scored in the sixth minute, and Marmoush doubled the lead four minutes later. Hany set up the first and Zizo the second. Mohamed Hany made it 3-0 in the 38th minute, and that was the half-time score.

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Second half: Salah takes over

Egypt eased off after the break, then Salah finished the job. He headed in a cross from substitute Ibrahim Adel in the 84th minute. That goal drew him level with the record. In stoppage time, he tucked away the fifth from the penalty spot after Barcelona forward Hamza Abdelkarim won it.

What it means

Egypt lead Group B on seven points from three games, ahead of Angola on four, Malawi on three and South Sudan on none. The top two teams go to the 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The return match is in Malawi on Tuesday 17 November, and Salah could extend his tally there.

The Salah factor

A fresh record, a debut win and a new coach is about as clean a reset as Egypt could have asked for. The real test comes in Malawi on Tuesday. The Egyptians should expect a tighter game away from home.

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