Egypt Rest Mohamed Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.
Fredy delivered a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir.
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 highest-ranked third-place teams.
Several other nations are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.
Game Key Moments
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 – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
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 2023 finals, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender 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 single effort on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous source, seeing 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 goal to be flagged offside.
Late efforts 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 performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
