Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Elimination from AFCON.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a clinical finish 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 sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Several other nations are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.

Match Key Moments

Attacker Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – 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 victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Feel Star Power Absence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive display from his rotated side.

The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.

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

The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest threat, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

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

Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended goalless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.