🔗 Share this article The Pharaohs Bench Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit. Fredy delivered a superb set-piece onto the post as the two sides shared a stalemate. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to 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 were missing a clinical finish in Agadir. Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to advance for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all having three points. Game Highlights Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – 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 comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday. In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in. Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence Mohamed Salah observed 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 display from his rotated side. The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt. The Angolan captain remained the likeliest source, seeing a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping 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, ensuring the match finished goalless. For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
Fredy delivered a superb set-piece onto the post as the two sides shared a stalemate. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to 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 were missing a clinical finish in Agadir. Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to advance for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all having three points. Game Highlights Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – 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 comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday. In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in. Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence Mohamed Salah observed 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 display from his rotated side. The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt. The Angolan captain remained the likeliest source, seeing a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping 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, ensuring the match finished goalless. For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.