The Pharaohs Bench Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.

Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.

Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify for the knockout stage as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Several other nations are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.

Game Highlights

Attacker Fredy struck the woodwork for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes 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 comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.

Egypt will stay in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola in a precarious position.

Pharaohs Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence

With top spot secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive display from his rotated side.

The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender looped his header over the target.

Angola, making multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before firing a shot wide.

The first half passed without a shot on target, although Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a thunderous long-range strike.

The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest source, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

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

Late efforts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match finished scoreless.

For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.