The Pharaohs Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having clinched top spot, fielded 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 two points is enough to advance for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

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

Match Key Moments

Attacker Fredy struck 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' fingertips 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 meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola in a precarious position.

Pharaohs Feel Star Power Presence

With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing display from his second string.

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

Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide.

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

The Angolan captain remained the likeliest threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be flagged offside.

Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match finished scoreless.

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.