Egypt Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed 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 last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Game Key Moments
Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
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 propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Feel Star Power Presence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 final.
With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive display from his second string.
The striker, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header over the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, nearly 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 a save with a powerful long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping 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, ensuring the match finished scoreless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
