🔗 Share this article The Pharaohs Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Elimination from AFCON. The Angolan winger delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as the two sides shared a stalemate. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025. The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points. Game Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament 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 determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Pharaohs Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final. With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide. The first half ended without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt. The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. 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 efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended scoreless. For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful free-kick onto the post as the two sides shared a stalemate. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025. The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in the Moroccan city. Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all boasting three points. Game Key Moments Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' fingertips with a effort from inside the box. Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament 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 determined after the group stage finishes on Wednesday. In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position. Pharaohs Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final. With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side. Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target. Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive wide. The first half ended without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt. The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork. 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 efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match ended scoreless. For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.