The Pharaohs Rest Salah as Angola Face Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge 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 enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.
Game Key Moments
Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Feel Star Power Absence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 final.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive display from his second string.
The striker, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post.
The first half passed without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain was the likeliest threat, seeing a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the move to be flagged offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
