Egypt Bench Mohamed Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger delivered a delightful set-piece against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt shared a stalemate.
Anfield forward Mohamed Salah and Etihad striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having already secured top spot, fielded an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.
Angola, who needed a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now face a nervous wait to see if their two points is sufficient to qualify 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 respective groups, all having three points.
Match Highlights
Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced 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, in turn.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, putting Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Absence
Mohamed Salah observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 tournament decider.
With first place wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing attacking performance from his rotated side.
The striker, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back directed his header over the target.
Angola, having made multiple rotations themselves, nearly went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before firing a low drive past the post.
The first half ended without a single effort on target, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a thunderous long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper remained the likeliest source, seeing a free-kick elude the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost prodding 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 ended goalless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their disjointed showings in Morocco will raise questions about their mid-tournament managerial change.
