Egypt have written an unwelcome chapter into Africa Cup of Nations history after becoming the tournament’s most prolific scorers of own goals, following their quarter-final clash with Côte d’Ivoire at the ongoing Morocco 2025 finals.
The unwanted milestone was confirmed on Saturday when left-back Ahmed Fattouh inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with a corner kick shortly before half-time.
Despite the setback, Egypt recovered to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory and book their place in the semi-finals, but the own goal ensured the record would stand regardless of the result.
According to statistics highlighted by Africa Sport, the goal against Ivory Coast was Egypt’s fourth own goal in AFCON history, moving the Pharaohs clear of Burkina Faso, Algeria and Tunisia, who have each recorded three across their participation in the competition.
The figure now places Egypt alone at the top of a list no nation aims to lead.
The latest incident adds to a long-spanning sequence of costly mistakes stretching across decades of AFCON football. Egypt’s first own goal at the tournament dates back to the 1976 edition, when Ghanem Sultan scored past his own goalkeeper in a match against Guinea.
Three decades later, Ahmed El Sayed repeated the misfortune during the 2006 finals against DR Congo.
The list grew again in 2010 when veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net against Cameroon, before Fattouh’s misjudged intervention against Ivory Coast completed the unwanted quartet in the current tournament.
While Egypt remain one of the most successful nations in AFCON history, with a reputation built on resilience and winning pedigree, the statistic offers a reminder of the fine margins that often define major tournaments.
Defensive lapses, even accidental ones, can linger in the record books long after victories are celebrated.
