🔗 Share this article The Pharaohs Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON. The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece against the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench 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, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed 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 knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points. Game Key Moments Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 opponents to be determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence The Liverpool star watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider. With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive attacking performance from his rotated side. The striker, who netted 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, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike. The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest threat, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the goal 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, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece against the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw. Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench 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, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed 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 knockout stage as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points. Game Key Moments Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net 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 opponents to be determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence The Liverpool star watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider. With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive attacking performance from his rotated side. The striker, who netted 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, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive past the post. The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike. The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest threat, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after almost tapping in a cross, only for the goal 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, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.