The Pharaohs Bench Salah as Angola on Brink of Afcon Exit.
Fredy delivered a delightful free-kick onto the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Manchester City counterpart Omar Marmoush watched from the bench as Group B winners 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 were missing a clinical finish in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who needed a victory to keep their hopes alive, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is enough to qualify for the knockout stage 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 having three points.
Match Key Moments
Attacker Fredy rattled the outside of a post for Angola shortly after the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – stung goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a shot 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 meet a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the other Group B finale, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe propelled Bafana Bafana through automatically, putting Angola in a precarious position.
Pharaohs Feel Star Power Absence
The Liverpool star observed Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion 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.
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, making seven changes themselves, almost went ahead when Chico Banza linked up with Mabululu before dragging a shot wide.
The first half passed without a single effort on target, though Fredy forced goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range strike.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the most dangerous threat, seeing a free-kick beat the goalkeeper but clatter against the woodwork.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was left in disbelief after almost prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be ruled offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, leaving the match finished goalless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent showings in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their recent coaching decision.
