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

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker 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 record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a clinical finish in Agadir.

Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, 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 already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.

Match Key Moments

Winger Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola in a precarious position.

Egypt Feel Star Power Absence

With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more impressive display from his rotated side.

The striker, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target.

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

The first half passed without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.

The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

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

Late attempts 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 raise questions about their mid-tournament coaching decision.