AFCON 2027 qualifiers: Salah becomes Egypt’s record goalscorer, Hakimi scores in Morocco’s win

Former Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah celebrates after the record, eventually helping Egypt to a commanding win in their AFCON 2027 qualifiers. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Tunisia’s dismal ‌run continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Libya in an Africa ​Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, while Mohamed Salah became Egypt’s ⁠record scorer in their 5-0 rout of Malawi.

There were key wins for Cape Verde and Nigeria, who had made disappointing starts to the 2027 qualifying campaign, but there were also frustrating home ‌draws for past winners South Africa and Zambia.

Salah scored twice late on to take his international tally to 70 and surpass former captain ‌Hossam Hassan’s record. New coach Ali Maher began his tenure with a comprehensive ‌victory ⁠in Cairo that put Egypt top of Group B.

Tunisia was the only ⁠one of Africa’s 10 teams at this year’s World Cup to exit following the group stage, and it fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after its opening defeat.

Its woes continued against neighbour Libya on Friday as ​it lost 0-2 in Sfax to ‌a penalty from Ali Youssef on the stroke of half-time and a 62nd-minute effort from Hamdou El Houni.

The defeat left Tunisia with two points at the halfway stage of its Group H campaign and in danger of missing next ‌year’s finals, which would end its record run of 17 successive appearances. ​Coach Mouin Chaabani’s short reign is also under threat.

Cape Verde, which thrilled the neutrals with their run to the second round at the ⁠World Cup, had lost its opening qualifiers in September but was back to winning ways on Friday with a 4-2 home triumph over Liberia, with debutant Derensili Sanches Fernandes ‌from Huddersfield Town among the scorers.

Nigeria made multiple changes to their line-up after a 0-3 loss to Guinea Bissau in its last outing two months ago and bounced back with giant striker Tolu Arokodare scoring twice in its 3-1 win over Tanzania.

CAME FROM BEHIND

Defender Jean Girumugisha scored seven minutes from time for tiny Burundi to draw 1-1 away at Zambia in Group I while Ryan Ogam’s 90th minute strike saw ‌Kenya hold South Africa 2-2 in Johannesburg in Group D.

Mali came from behind to beat Rwanda 3-2 ​in Bamako and win a third match in Group K and move within one win of a place in the finals. Mamadou Camara ⁠snatched their late winner.

African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi scored twice as Morocco beat ⁠Niger 5-1 in Casablanca to maintain its perfect start in Group A and move closer to qualification.

There are three more matches on Saturday to complete ‌the third round of the group qualifiers which marks the halfway mark of the campaign.

The fourth round of group fixtures is on Monday and Tuesday, and ​the last two rounds in March. The 2027 finals are to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from June 19 to July 17.