Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.

Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all having three points.

Game Key Moments

Winger Fredy struck 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' 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, respectively.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the group stage 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.

Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive attacking performance from his second string.

Mostafa Mohamed, 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 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 caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.

The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.

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

Late attempts 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 showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.