Egypt Bench Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing 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 advance for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their pools, all having three points.

Match Highlights

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested 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 stay in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position.

Egypt Feel Star Power Presence

With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive display from his rotated side.

Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header over the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.

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

The Angolan captain was the likeliest source, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter 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 attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended goalless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament coaching decision.