The Pharaohs Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt played out a draw 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 Agadir.

Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to advance 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 pools, all having three points.

Match Highlights

Winger Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous 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 Absence

With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive attacking performance from his rotated side.

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target.

Angola, having made seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide.

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 Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, seeing a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.

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 failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match ended goalless.

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.