Egypt Bench Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Elimination from AFCON.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a clinical finish 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 advance for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.

Several other nations are assured of at least third place in their pools, all having three points.

Game Key Moments

Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Pharaohs Miss Star Power Absence

With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance 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 wide.

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

The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly 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 goalless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.