Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola Face Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to advance for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Highlights
Attacker Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Feel Star Power Presence
Mohamed Salah watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive display from his second string.
The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post.
The first half passed without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain remained the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be flagged offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended scoreless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
