Egypt star Mohammed Salah chases record ahead of Angola AFCON qualifiers

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah will have another major personal milestone in sight when the Pharaohs open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Angola on Friday.

Salah enters the Group B opener with 67 international goals for Egypt and is just one goal away from drawing level with the national team’s all-time scoring record, currently held by head coach Hossam Hassan.

The former Liverpool forward will equal Hassan’s record if he finds the back of the net at the Cairo International Stadium, while scoring twice would take his tally to 69 goals and make him Egypt’s outright all-time leading scorer.

The possibility of breaking the record adds another layer of significance to what is already an important fixture for the Pharaohs as they begin their journey towards the 2027 AFCON tournament.

Salah has been Egypt’s leading attacking figure for several years and remains a key component of the national team as they look to make a strong start to their qualification campaign.

Beyond the Egyptian record, the 67-goal mark also places Salah level with Uruguay legend Luis Suárez on the all-time international goalscoring list.

A goal against Angola would therefore not only move him closer to another historic landmark with Egypt but also take him ahead of Suárez on the international stage.

Salah’s experience and goalscoring record will be particularly important for Egypt as they face an Angola side determined to make a positive start of their own.

The Pharaohs will be expected to carry the attacking responsibility, with Salah likely to attract significant attention from the Angolan defence throughout the encounter.

For the Egyptian captain, however, the focus will remain on helping his country secure maximum points while having the opportunity to add another chapter to his already remarkable international career.

With two milestones within reach, Salah will be one of the main players to watch when Egypt take on Angola at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.