The Pharaohs Rest Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick onto the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a cutting edge 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 sufficient to advance for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all having three points.
Game Key Moments
Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Feel Star Power Absence
Mohamed Salah watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive attacking performance from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header over the target.
Angola, having made seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper remained the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost prodding in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
