Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City 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 lacked a cutting edge in Agadir.
Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.
Game Key Moments
Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes 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 victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Miss Star Power Absence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.
The first half ended without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain was the likeliest threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost prodding in a cross, only for the move to be ruled 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 inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
