The Pharaohs Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Elimination from AFCON.

An exciting set-piece action from the match.

Fredy curled a delightful free-kick against the post as the two sides shared a stalemate.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.

Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points is enough to advance 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 pools, all having three points.

Match Highlights

Winger Fredy struck 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 shot from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

The Egyptian captain observing the match from the sidelines.

The Liverpool star observed 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 likely expected a more convincing display from his rotated side.

Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, having made seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.

The first half passed without a single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike.

The Angolan captain remained the likeliest threat, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended scoreless.

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.

Samantha White
Samantha White

Passionate gamer and esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering competitive gaming scenes worldwide.