By Chalien Dantes 

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush stayed on the bench as Egypt, already assured of topping Group B, played out a 0-0 draw with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Agadir. 

The seven-time champions fielded a completely rotated starting lineup and, without their star forwards, struggled to find a cutting edge.

Angola hit the post early in the second half through Fredy and saw a close-range shot from Egypt’s Zizo saved by Hugo Marques, keeping the match scoreless. The result leaves Angola waiting nervously to see if their two points are enough to advance as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Egypt, which kicked off the tournament with a 2-1 comeback over Zimbabwe and a 1-0 win against South Africa thanks to Salah’s penalty, will stay in Agadir to face a third-placed team from Group A, C, or D next Monday. Meanwhile, South Africa’s 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe confirmed Bafana’s spot in the last 16 with a four-point lead over Angola.