Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is enough to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.
Game Key Moments
Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Miss Star Power Absence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target.
Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post.
The first half ended without a shot on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
