Egypt Rest Salah as Angola Face Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a superb free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is enough to advance for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Highlights
Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the group stage finishes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his second string.
The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header wide of the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive past the post.
The first half passed without a single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain remained the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
