Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola Face Afcon Exit.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench 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 face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.

Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.

Match Highlights

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group 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 into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.

Pharaohs Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence

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

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header wide of the target.

Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.

The first half passed without a shot on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range strike.

The Angolan captain remained the likeliest threat, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.

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

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.