Mohamed Salah celebrates 100th Egypt cap with goal in AFCON qualifier victory
Mohamed Salah marked his 100th appearance for the Egyptian national team with a goal, as Egypt cruised to a dominant 4-0 victory over Botswana in an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday.
The Egypt captain, who has been a talisman for his nation for over a decade, found the back of the net to score his 56th international goal.
Salah’s strike came as part of a comprehensive win in Francistown, further cementing his status as one of the country’s all-time greats.
His goal was Egypt’s third of the night, helping to secure a comfortable win for the Pharaohs as they continue their qualification campaign.
Speaking after the match, Egypt’s national team director Ibrahim Hassan praised Salah for his achievement.
“We are very happy for Salah, and it was great for him to celebrate this special milestone with a big win.
Salah is a fantastic player and very important for the national team,” Hassan said.
Salah’s contribution to the team over the years has been remarkable, and with 56 goals for his country, he is closing in on a historic record.
Egypt’s current head coach Hossam Hassan, who still holds the record for most goals scored in Egyptian football history with 69, may soon be overtaken by the prolific winger.
Salah needs just 13 more goals to surpass his manager and claim the title of Egypt’s all-time top scorer.
Salah’s journey with the Egyptian national team began in 2011 when he made his debut during a 2-1 AFCON qualifier loss to Sierra Leone.
He netted his first international goal in his second match against Niger.
Since then, he has become a fixture in the squad, earning recognition not only for his club performances but also for his dedication to his national side.
Though Salah has yet to lift a major trophy with Egypt, his importance to the team cannot be understated.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came in 2017, when his penalty secured Egypt’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, ending a 28-year drought for the country at the prestigious tournament.
In the match against Botswana, Egypt’s dominant performance saw them notch their second consecutive win in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers.
With a perfect six points from two matches, the Pharaohs are in a strong position to secure a spot at the 2025 AFCON.
Reflecting on the victory and the team’s progress, head coach Hossam Hassan said, “I am very pleased with our performance against both Cape Verde and Botswana.
It’s fantastic to win both games, but we need to stay focused on what lies ahead.”
As Egypt continues to march toward AFCON qualification, Salah’s continued leadership and scoring prowess will be key to the team’s success.
With his 100th cap now behind him, the Liverpool star will undoubtedly set his sights on further milestones, including Hossam Hassan’s goal-scoring record, as he seeks to deliver silverware for his country.
