Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah is closing in on one of African football’s most enduring records after taking his international goal tally to 70, leaving him just nine goals behind Zambia legend Godfrey Ucar Chitalu.
The 34-year-old reached the milestone on Friday night after scoring twice in Egypt’s emphatic 5-0 victory over Malawi in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Cairo.
Salah’s brace was particularly significant as it saw him move past former Egypt striker Hossam Hassan, who finished his international career with 69 goals, to become the Pharaohs’ all-time leading scorer under the commonly cited 70-goal statistical count.
The achievement also moved him into third place on the list of Africa’s highest men’s international goalscorers, behind only Chitalu and Malawi great Kinnah Phiri.
At the summit remains Chitalu, whose remarkable record of 79 goals in 111 appearances for Zambia has stood for decades. Fondly remembered as ‘Ucar’, the late striker remains one of the greatest players to have represented the Chipolopolo, having established himself as a prolific goalscorer between 1968 and 1980.
Just ahead of Salah in second place is Malawi legend Kinnah Phiri, who scored 71 goals in 117 appearances for the Flames between 1973 and 1981. Salah is now just one goal away from drawing level with the former Malawian forward.
Hossam Hassan occupies fourth place with 69 goals in 177 appearances for Egypt. His record had stood as the country’s benchmark for years before Salah’s latest exploits.
Completing the top five is former Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba, who scored 65 international goals in 105 appearances for the Elephants. The former Chelsea striker was a central figure in Ivory Coast’s rise to prominence on the international stage and remains one of the continent’s most celebrated forwards.
Africa’s leading men’s international goalscorers:
- Godfrey Chitalu (Zambia) – 79 goals
- Kinnah Phiri (Malawi) – 71 goals
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 70 goals
- Hossam Hassan (Egypt) – 69 goals
- Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) – 65 goals
With Salah still active at international level, the prospect of challenging Chitalu’s record is becoming increasingly realistic.
His immediate target, however, is Phiri’s second-place position, which is now within touching distance.
For Zambia, Chitalu’s remarkable achievement remains a source of national pride. More than four decades after his final international appearance, the legendary striker continues to set the standard for goalscoring excellence on the continent.
Whether Salah can eventually catch the Zambian great is a question that will add another fascinating chapter to African football’s rich history.
