Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick onto the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated 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 two points is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Game Highlights
Winger Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Presence
The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header wide of the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.
The first half ended without a shot on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper remained the most dangerous source, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent managerial change.
