Egypt Rest Salah as Angola Face Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.
Angola, who required 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 last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Highlights
Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his second string.
The striker, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header wide of the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Angolan captain was the most dangerous source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the move to be flagged offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match ended scoreless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
