The Pharaohs Bench Mohamed 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 played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.

Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period 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 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' fingertips with a shot from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.

Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

With first place wrapped up, 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 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot 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 remained the likeliest threat, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.

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

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

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