Egypt Rest Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders 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 clinical finish in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to advance for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Several other nations are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Key Moments
Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 confirmed after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Feel Star Power Presence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider.
With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive display from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Angolan captain was the likeliest source, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost prodding in a cross, only for the move to be flagged offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended scoreless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
