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

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in Agadir.

Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.

Game Key Moments

Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post 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 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 meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola in a precarious position.

Pharaohs Feel Star Power Absence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side.

The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target.

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

The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range strike.

The Angolan captain remained the likeliest source, watching a free-kick beat 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 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 mid-tournament managerial change.