On an unforgettable night of football in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by Morocco, Egyptian star Mohamed Salah continued to etch his name in the annals of African football. The Pharaohs' captain scored a crucial goal against Ivory Coast in the ongoing match, cementing his place as one of the greatest goalscorers in the tournament's history.
Brigadier General Hossam Hassan's number equation
With this precious goal, Mohamed Salah raised his tally in the history of his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations to 11 goals. This number was not just a passing statistic, but an official announcement that Salah had equaled the record of his current coach and Egyptian football legend, Hossam Hassan, who for many years held the position of second on Egypt's all-time top scorers list in the tournament with the same number of goals. The magnificence of the scene is further enhanced by the fact that this achievement was accomplished under the watchful eye of "The Dean" himself, who is technically leading the national team from the sidelines, in a moment that reflects the continuity of generations and the passing of the torch between the legends of Egyptian football.
Chasing Al-Shazly's historic record
After equaling Hossam Hassan's record, Mohamed Salah now has his sights set on the top spot, needing just one more goal to match the all-time record held by the late Hassan El-Shazly, the Tersana legend, who tops the list of Egypt's all-time leading scorers in the Africa Cup of Nations with 12 goals. This trio (El-Shazly, Salah, and Hossam Hassan) forms a veritable "club of greats" in the history of the Pharaohs' continental participation.
Historical context and importance of the event
This match is of particular importance as it comes against the Ivory Coast, one of the giants of the continent, bringing back memories of the historic encounters between the two teams, most notably the 2006 final and the round of 16 match in the 2021 edition. Salah's scoring in such big matches confirms his ability to decide in difficult moments and reinforces his status as a true leader of the national team.
Mohamed Salah's approach to becoming Egypt's all-time top scorer in the Africa Cup of Nations is not just an individual achievement, but a tremendous morale booster for the Pharaohs as they strive to reclaim the title. With minutes remaining in this match and the possibility of further games should they qualify, the opportunity is ripe for the "Egyptian King" not only to equal El-Shazly's record, but to surpass it and claim the title of Egypt's all-time leading scorer in the African continent.
List of Egypt's all-time top scorers in the Africa Cup of Nations (current):
- Hassan El-Shazly: 12 goals
- Mohamed Salah: 11 goals
- Hossam Hassan: 11 goals
