Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Afcon Exit.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having clinched top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.

Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points 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 pools, all boasting three points.

Match Key Moments

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested 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 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 finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.

Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his second string.

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target.

Angola, having made seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive past the post.

The first half ended without a shot on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt.

The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

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

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.