Egypt Rest Salah as Angola Face Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in Agadir.
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 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.
Match Highlights
Attacker 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' palms 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 stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Pharaohs Feel Star Power Absence
The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score 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 rotated side.
Mostafa Mohamed, who netted 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 linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.
The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside.
Late efforts 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 performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
