Egypt Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad 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 seven-time champions, having clinched top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, 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.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique 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 halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With top spot secured, 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 defender looped his header over the target.
Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, seeing a free-kick beat 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 attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent managerial change.
