Egypt Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.
Fredy curled a delightful set-piece onto the post as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Anfield star Mohamed Salah and Etihad counterpart Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as Group B winners Egypt were held to a draw with Angola at the Afcon 2025.
The record winners, having already secured top spot, deployed an completely rotated starting XI and lacked a clinical finish in Agadir.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their two points is sufficient to advance for the knockout stage 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.
Game Highlights
Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Egypt's substitute – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, respectively.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a third-placed team next Monday, with their next rival to be determined after the preliminary round concludes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B closer, South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana into the next round, leaving Angola in a precarious position.
Egypt Feel Salah and Marmoush Presence
The Liverpool star observed Egypt draw a blank in an Afcon match for the first time since the 2021 final.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan likely expected a more impressive attacking performance from his rotated side.
Mostafa Mohamed, who scored four goals at the 2023 finals, set up an early chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header wide of the target.
Angola, having made seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza combined with Mabululu before dragging a low drive past the post.
The first half passed without a shot on target, though Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into action with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Angolan captain remained the most dangerous threat, watching a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but clatter against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost tapping in a cross, only for the move to be ruled offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match finished scoreless.
For Angola, quarter-finalists in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
