The Pharaohs Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick against the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Game 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 – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a shot 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 face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Pharaohs Miss Star Power Presence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider.
With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive 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 centre-back looped his header over the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.
The first half ended without a shot on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper remained the most dangerous source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be flagged offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended scoreless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
