🔗 Share this article Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola Face Elimination from AFCON. The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed 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 two points is enough to advance for the last 16 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. Game Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes 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 meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in. Egypt Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider. With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post. The first half passed without a shot on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match finished goalless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed 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 two points is enough to advance for the last 16 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. Game Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes 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 meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in. Egypt Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider. With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post. The first half passed without a shot on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match finished goalless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.