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

A thrilling free-kick moment from the match.

Fredy delivered a superb free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The seven-time champions, having clinched top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.

Angola, who required a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now face a nervous wait 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 already guaranteed at least third place in their pools, all having three points.

Match Highlights

Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung 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, in turn.

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

In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Presence

Mohamed Salah watching the match from the sidelines.

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 netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.

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

The first half ended without a shot on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range attempt.

The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest threat, watching a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but clatter 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, ensuring the match ended goalless.

For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent managerial change.

Gregory Brown
Gregory Brown

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot mechanics and player psychology.

Popular Post