Striker Gabadinho Mhango has become Malawi’s all-time leading scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals, following the goal he scored in the 2-1 loss to Morocco on Tuesday.

The Orlando Pirates forward scored a sensational long-range goal to put the Flames ahead in the Round-of-16 match.

However, the Atlas Lions responded with a double through Youssef En-Nesyri’s header and Achraf Hakimi freekick in either half.

Ahead of the game on Tuesday, the Pirates striker had joined Russel Mwafulirwa, former South Africa’s Ajax Cape Town and Jomo Cosmos forward, who held the record for the most two goals at the AFCON finals for the Flames.

Now Gabadinho has overtaken Mwafulirwa, who then playing club football for Swedish side IFK Norrokoping, scored twice in the 3-0 win over Algeria and 3-1 loss to Mali at the 2010 AFCON finals held in Angola.

Additionally, Mhango is also the only Malawian footballer to have scored a double in a game at the AFCON finals.

Overall, the Pirates forward has taken his tally to 16 career goals in 58 games for the Flames. His wonder goal is in the running for the goal of the tournament award.

Mwafulirwa and Mhango are among only six Malawian players to have ever scored for Malawi at the AFCON finals alongside Elvis Kafoteka, Dave Banda and Clifton Msiya.

The late Harry Waya, then playing Bata Bullets FC, scored Malawi’s first-ever goal at the AFCON finals in the 2-2 draw with Nigeria during the 1984 edition held in Cote d’ Ivoire.

In the game against Nigeria, Berec Power Pack FC’s Msiya added Malawi’s second goal, which became the tournament’s best strike.