Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Afcon Exit.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish 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 two points is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 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 Highlights

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips 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 third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in.

Pharaohs Miss Salah and Marmoush Presence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive attacking performance from his second string.

Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, making seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.

The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt.

The Angolan captain was the likeliest source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost tapping 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 finished scoreless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.