The Pharaohs Rest Salah as Angola on Brink of Elimination from AFCON.

Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt played out a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and were missing a clinical finish 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 two points is enough 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 having three points.

Match Highlights

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

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

Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be confirmed after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.

In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Absence

With first place secured, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive display from his second string.

Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the previous tournament, set up an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the defender directed his header wide of the target.

Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot past the post.

The first half ended without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt.

The Angolan captain remained the likeliest source, seeing a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly tapping in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled 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 inconsistent performances in Morocco will raise questions about their recent coaching decision.