Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger delivered a superb set-piece onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.
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 knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points.
Game Highlights
Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three players introduced 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, in turn.
Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet 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 finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Miss Star Power Presence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 final.
With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side.
Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target.
Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.
The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief 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 goalless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
