Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in Agadir.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Game Highlights
Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group 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
The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing display from his rotated side.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header over the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.
The first half ended without a shot on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt.
The Palancas Negras skipper remained the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but clatter 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, ensuring the match finished goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
