The Pharaohs Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart 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 clinched top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is sufficient to advance for the last 16 as one of the highest-ranked third-place teams.
Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all having three points.
Game Highlights
Attacker Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested 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 face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Miss Star Power Absence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank 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 convincing attacking performance from his second string.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header wide of the target.
Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a low drive wide.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Angolan captain was the likeliest threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.
Late attempts 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 lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament coaching decision.
