The Pharaohs Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola Face Elimination from AFCON.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having clinched 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 face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage 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 Highlights

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after 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 previously found the net in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola in a precarious position.

Egypt Miss Star Power Absence

With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive display from his second string.

The striker, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.

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

The Angolan captain was the most dangerous source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.

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

Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended scoreless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent managerial change.