The Pharaohs Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras Face Elimination from AFCON.

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and were missing a cutting edge in Agadir.

Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is enough to advance 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 having three points.

Game Key Moments

Winger Fredy rattled the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.

Salah and Marmoush had scored earlier in the tournament in victories over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

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

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.

Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

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

Mostafa Mohamed, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header wide of the target.

Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly 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 forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.

The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest threat, watching a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the move to be flagged offside.

Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy could not break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless.

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.