Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick against the woodwork as the two sides shared a stalemate.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The seven-time champions, having clinched top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is enough to advance for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Match Highlights
Winger Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence
The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider.
With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive 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 defender looped his header over the target.
Angola, making seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.
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 remained the likeliest threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost 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, ensuring the match ended scoreless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.
