🔗 Share this article Egypt Bench Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Afcon Exit. The Angolan winger curled a superb free-kick onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points. Game Highlights Attacker Fredy rattled 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 effort 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 remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Absence The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider. With first place wrapped up, 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, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous source, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended scoreless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
The Angolan winger curled a superb free-kick onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points. Game Highlights Attacker Fredy rattled 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 effort 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 remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Egypt Feel Star Power Absence The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 tournament decider. With first place wrapped up, 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, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a shot past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike. The Angolan captain was the most dangerous source, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside. Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match ended scoreless. For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.