AFCON: Egypt rotate heavily as Angola hold pharaohs to goalless Afcon draw

Egypt rested stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush as the seven-time champions were held to a 0-0 draw by Angola in their final Group B match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Sport360NG reports.

Already assured of top spot, Pharaohs coach Hossam Hassan named a completely new starting XI in Agadir, but the much-changed side struggled to find fluency or penetration in attack.

Angola, who needed victory to strengthen their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, must now wait to see if two points will be sufficient to progress as one of the four best third-placed teams. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique have already secured at least three points and are guaranteed third place or better in their respective groups.

The contest was short on clear chances, with Angola winger Fredy coming closest early in the second half when his effort struck the outside of the post. Egypt responded soon after through substitute Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’, whose close-range strike forced a sharp fingertip save from goalkeeper Hugo Marques.

Salah and Marmoush, both left unused on the bench, had been decisive earlier in the tournament. The pair scored in Egypt’s opening 2-1 win over Zimbabwe, before Salah’s penalty sealed a 1-0 victory against South Africa to confirm first place.

Egypt will remain in Agadir for their last-16 tie on Monday (16:00 GMT), where they will face a third-placed side from Group A, C or D, with their opponents confirmed once the group stage concludes on Wednesday.

South Africa’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Zimbabwe in the other Group B fixture ensured Bafana Bafana progressed automatically, finishing four points clear of Angola.

Despite the absence of their headline forwards, Hassan had hoped for more attacking intent from his rotated lineup. Mostafa Mohamed, the tournament’s joint top scorer at the 2023 finals, went closest in the first half by setting up defender Hossam Abdelmaguid, whose looping header drifted over.

Angola threatened sporadically, with Chico Banza narrowly missing the target after a neat exchange with Mabululu, while Fredy continued to test Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir from range.

Late chances at both ends failed to break the deadlock. M’Bala Nzola fired into the side-netting for Angola, while Hamdi Fathy sent a powerful effort just over for Egypt.

With the knockout phase approaching, Egypt will be relieved to welcome back their first-choice attackers, while Angola’s hopes now hinge on other results. Since the tournament expanded to 24 teams in 2019, no third-placed side has advanced with fewer than three points, a statistic that leaves the Palancas Negras facing an anxious wait.