The Pharaohs Bench Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Afcon Exit.

Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart 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 record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.

Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points 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 having three points.

Match Highlights

Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in 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 victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Miss Star Power Presence

With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his second string.

Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender 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 single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt.

The Angolan captain was the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned 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, ensuring the match finished scoreless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.