The Pharaohs Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.

A thrilling free-kick action from the match.

Fredy delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as the two sides played out a draw.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.

Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points is enough to qualify for the knockout stage 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

Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung 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, respectively.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

Mohamed Salah watching the match from the sidelines.

Mohamed Salah watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider.

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive attacking performance from his rotated side.

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide.

The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.

The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash 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 flagged offside.

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

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent managerial change.

Mr. Jared Johnson
Mr. Jared Johnson

A tech enthusiast and lifestyle blogger passionate about sharing actionable insights and inspiring personal development journeys.