The Pharaohs Rest Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.

Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in Agadir.

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 advance for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of 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 players introduced 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 victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B closer, 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 Presence

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

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header wide of the target.

Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide.

The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike.

The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece beat 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 goal to be flagged offside.

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

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.