🔗 Share this article Egypt Bench Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit. The Angolan winger delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all having three points. Game Highlights Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips 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 remain in Agadir to face 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 into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in. Pharaohs Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider. With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive attacking performance from his second string. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target. Angola, having made seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post. The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range strike. The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all having three points. Game Highlights Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips 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 remain in Agadir to face 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 into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in. Pharaohs Feel Star Power Presence Mohamed Salah watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider. With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive attacking performance from his second string. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target. Angola, having made seven changes themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post. The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range strike. The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest source, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.