🔗 Share this article The Pharaohs Bench Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON. The Angolan winger curled a superb set-piece onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points is enough to advance 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 having three points. Match Highlights Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final. With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his second string. The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly 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, ensuring the match ended scoreless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
The Angolan winger curled a superb set-piece onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points is enough to advance 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 having three points. Match Highlights Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final. With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his second string. The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly 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, ensuring the match ended scoreless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.