The Pharaohs Rest Salah as The Palancas Negras on Brink of Afcon Exit.
The Angolan winger curled a delightful free-kick against the woodwork as Angola and Egypt played out a draw.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush remained unused substitutes as the group leaders Egypt were held to a stalemate with Angola at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The record winners, having clinched top spot, fielded an entirely changed starting XI and lacked a cutting edge in the Moroccan city.
Angola, who required a victory to stand a chance of progressing, will now endure an anxious period to see if their solitary draw is sufficient to qualify 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 boasting three points.
Game Highlights
Attacker Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half, while Zizo – one of three halftime changes by the Pharaohs – tested goalkeeper Hugo Marques' palms with a effort from inside the box.
Salah and Marmoush had previously found the net in comeback wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa, in turn.
Egypt will remain in Agadir to face a runner-up from another group next Monday, with their opponents to be determined after the preliminary round finishes on Wednesday.
In the simultaneous Group B closer, South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe sent Bafana Bafana through automatically, leaving Angola on the outside looking in.
Egypt Miss Salah and Marmoush Presence
The Liverpool star watched Egypt fail to score in an Afcon match for the first occasion since the 2021 final.
With top spot wrapped up, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan might have hoped for a more convincing display from his rotated side.
The striker, who netted four goals at the previous tournament, created an first-half chance for Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back looped his header over the target.
Angola, having made seven changes themselves, almost 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, although Fredy caused goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir into a save with a powerful long-range attempt.
The Palancas Negras skipper was the likeliest threat, seeing a set-piece elude the goalkeeper but crash against the crossbar.
At the other end, Salah Mohsen was stunned after nearly prodding in a cross, only for the goal to be flagged offside.
Late attempts from M'Bala Nzola and Hamdi Fathy failed to break the deadlock, ensuring the match finished scoreless.
For Angola, last-eight participants in 2023, their inconsistent performances in Morocco will lead to scrutiny about their mid-tournament managerial change.
