The Pharaohs Rest Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.

An exciting set-piece action from the match.

Fredy curled a superb set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.

Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as the group leaders Egypt played out a stalemate with Angola at the Afcon 2025.

The seven-time champions, having already secured top spot, deployed 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 face a nervous wait to see if their solitary draw is enough to advance for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed third-place teams.

Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are assured of at least third place in their respective groups, all boasting three points.

Match Key Moments

Winger Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs – stung 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, respectively.

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

In the simultaneous Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola on the outside looking in.

Egypt Miss Star Power Presence

Mohamed Salah watching the match from the sidelines.

The Liverpool star watched Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 final.

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

The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, set up an early 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 past the post.

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

The Angolan captain was the most dangerous source, seeing a set-piece beat the goalkeeper but crash against the woodwork.

At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after nearly prodding 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, ensuring the match ended scoreless.

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

Arthur Ruiz
Arthur Ruiz

Lena ist eine erfahrene Journalistin mit Fokus auf deutsche Politik und gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen, bekannt für ihre klaren Analysen.

Popular Post