🔗 Share this article Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON. The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece onto the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw 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 solitary draw is enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points. Match Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – 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 comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Absence Mohamed Salah 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 likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide. The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but clatter 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 attempts 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 inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece onto the woodwork as the two sides played out a draw. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw 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 solitary draw is enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points. Match Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – 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 comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn. Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Absence Mohamed Salah 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 likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target. Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide. The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt. The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, watching a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but clatter 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 attempts 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 inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.