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

Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in Agadir.

Angola, who required 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.

Match Highlights

Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips 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 stay in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

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

Pharaohs Feel Star Power Presence

With top spot 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, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

Angola, making seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.

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

The Palancas Negras skipper remained the most dangerous source, seeing 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 ruled offside.

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

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.