Mohamed Salah has officially cemented his legacy as Egypt’s greatest-ever goalscorer, netting a late brace in Friday’s 5-0 demolition of Malawi to reach 70 international goals.

The milestone came during a dominant 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying performance that lifted the Pharaohs to the top of Group B and delivered a dream debut for newly appointed head coach Ali Maher.

A Historic Late Surge

At 34 years old, Salah continues to rewrite the record books. Entering Friday’s clash on 68 international goals, the former Liverpool forward needed just two strikes to surpass Egyptian football icon Hossam Hassan, whose record of 69 goals had stood for two decades.

Salah made fans wait until the closing stages to witness history. He drew level with Hassan in the 84th minute, rising to meet a cross with a clinical header. Deep into stoppage time, Salah stepped up to the penalty spot and calmly chipped a Panenka past the Malawi goalkeeper to claim his 70th international goal, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch.

Following the final whistle, Salah acknowledged the achievement on his official social media channels, sharing a photo of himself holding up the number 70.

Settling the Goal-Count Debate

Despite the celebratory mood, Salah’s brace briefly sparked debate across social media and local sports outlets. Some statistical trackers argued that the forward was still one goal shy of the record, questioning the validity of two goals he scored during Egypt’s 10-0 friendly rout of Swaziland (now Eswatini) on March 22, 2013. Critics contended that the fixture did not carry full “A-international” status due to excessive substitutions.

However, FIFA’s official records leave no room for doubt. Ahead of Friday’s match, world football’s governing body had already credited Salah with 68 senior international goals—a tally explicitly recognized by FIFA in June 2026 after Salah found the net against New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup. Friday’s double officially moves him to 70, standing alone atop Egypt’s all-time scoring chart, even as the Egyptian Football Association has yet to issue a formal statement.

Eyes on the Continental Record

With the national record secured, Salah now sets his sights on African football history. Reaching 70 international goals moves him into third place on the continent’s all-time scoring list. He trails only Malawi legend Kinnah Phiri (71 goals) and Zambia’s all-time great Godfrey Chitalu (79 goals).

Egypt will travel to face Malawi in the reverse Group B fixture on Tuesday, November 17. Sitting on seven points from three matches—three points clear of second-place Angola—the Pharaohs are firmly in control of their qualifying campaign, while Salah has an immediate opportunity to equal or surpass Phiri’s tally on Malawian soil.

The post Mohamed Salah makes History as Egypt’s all-time leading scorer appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Denis Onyango has heaped praise on outgoing Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho describing him as a top professional on and off the pitch.

The midfielder announced retirement in October but was included in the squad to face Botswana in the ongoing Afcon 2027 qualifiers as a way to honour him and give him a decent send off after thirteen years on the national team.

“The nation has to honour him because he has been a top professional on and off the pitch,” Onyango told the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of the Botswana clash in Hoima City.

“Regardless of other factors, he has sacrificed so much for this country and honouring him with a win tomorrow (Saturday) will be a good farewell.

“He has spent most of his playing career abroad, in different countries, and it is not easy to do so. That only shows how incredible a player he has been. I can only wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Not many players have had an opportunity for a proper send off like Aucho will get which has seen Onyango praise FUFA on the initiative.

“It is a good initiative from FUFA, and I hope it can be a culture going forward. This should be a stepping stone to honour players who excel with the national team, and when they choose to retire, a perfect send-off is good.”

Onyango also promised that whenever Aucho appears on the pitch against the Zebras, he will have the armband.

“I call him captain and if we share pitch same time against Botswana, he will surely have the armband.”

Paul Put wants the Cranes to win the fixture against Botswana for Aucho who he worked with as captain during his tenure.

“It has been a pleasure to work with him as captain of the team. It is not easy to be in the National Team for 13 years, but Aucho has done so.

“We appreciate him for the service, and we hope we can win the game for him tomorrow.”

Because he has donned the number 8 through his time on the Cranes, FUFA has called on fans to applaud the captain in the 8^th minute.

Alongside Onyango from the current generation, Aucho has played at three Afcon finals; 2017, 2019 and 2025.

The post Khalid Aucho’s Last Dance: Onyango heaps praise on outgoing skipper and Fufa for initiative appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

A championship berth slipped through their grasp, but University of the Philippines still found something to take pride in after a hard-fought campaign in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Women’s Football Tournament.

UP saw its title hopes come to a heartbreaking end, falling 2-3 to De La Salle University in the penalty shootout after a goalless draw through extra time last Friday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

The Fighting Maroons settled for third place, marking their first podium finish since Season 86. However, the result also extended their wait for a return to the championship stage, which they last reached in Season 78 when they captured the gold medal.

“Siguro ‘yong thoughts ko is kayang-kaya namin ‘yong bawat teams na lumalaro sa UAAP,” said UP fourth-year midfielder Hannah Muros.

“Siguro nagkulang lang kami sa pag-finish at saka ‘yong kung tiwala talaga namin sa bawat isa na talagang kaya namin pursigihin ‘yong kailangan naming pursigihin. At siguro sobrang thankful ko din sa teammates ko kasi hindi sila bumitaw hanggang dulo.”

One of the Fighting Maroons’ graduating players, Muros had opportunities to put the game away for UP during extra time. She also converted her spot-kick in the shootout, keeping her team’s hopes of forcing a rubber match alive.

But despite her and her teammates’ best efforts, La Salle proved more composed in the decisive moments. The Lady Booters eventually secured another shot at the championship against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a rematch of last season’s finals.

(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team

“Siguro nagkulang, may kulang pa rin ako kahit kaunti. Kasi kung na-shoot ko lang ‘yong mga moments na ‘yon, siguro ‘yon ‘yong mag-bo-boost sa’min na kayang-kaya namin ‘yong kalaban, at siguro ‘yon magiging momentum na hindi na sila makaka-score,” said Muros. “Pero siyempre, hindi naman natin masasabi kasi bilog ‘yong bola.

“Talagang kalmado lang ako during the penalty shootout at binawi ko lang din ‘yong mga hindi naka-shoot ng penalty. Kasi at the end of the day, kami-kami lang din ang magtutulungan sa bawat isa.”

The penalty shootout reflected the Fighting Maroons’ collective effort throughout the season, as the players continued to support one another even in the face of adversity.

While not every campaign ends in triumph, some provide the foundation for something greater. Returning to the podium after an 11-match campaign is an achievement worth celebrating for a UP side that gave everything it had until the very end.

Whether Muros will return for Season 90 remains to be seen, as the midfielder is still eligible to play one more year. Regardless of her decision, she can look back on this campaign as a memorable chapter spent alongside her sisters-in-arms in the maroon jersey.

“Ni-lo-look forward ko na mag-go-grow pa ‘yong team. Alam ko nag-gro-grow kami as a whole team, pero alam ko na mayro’n at mayro’n pa ring malalabas ‘yong bawat isa sa’min,” said the Holistic Education & Development Center alumna.

“During this year, masasabi ko na talagang naging masaya ako nang sobra-sobra. ‘Yong growth na hinahanap namin last year… Nakuha naman namin ‘yong bagay na ‘yon, at sobrang saya ko everytime na magkakasama kami kasi alam ng bawat isa na magsasaluhan at magsasaluhan kami.”

The post Hannah Muros finds pride in UP’s podium finish despite heartbreaking exit appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.