The Pharaohs Rest Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger delivered a superb free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir.
Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to advance for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.
Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Highlights
Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips 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 meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving 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 final.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his second string.
The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.
The first half passed without a shot on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range attempt.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest source, watching a free-kick beat 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 move to be flagged offside.
Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match finished scoreless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
