Afcon 2025: Egypt Struggles to 0-0 Draw with Angola Without Salah

Egypt faced Angola in a tense encounter during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, resulting in a frustrating 0-0 draw. Despite having already secured a top position in their group, Egypt struggled to deliver an effective offensive performance. Coach Hossam Hassan had hoped for more from his substitutes as they took to the field without key player Mohamed Salah.

Match Overview

The match saw Mostafa Mohamed, who had previously scored four goals in the 2023 AFCON finals, create an opportunity early on. He attempted to assist Hossam Abdelmaguid, but the centre-back missed the target after a header. Angola’s coach Patrice Beaumelle, making seven changes to his lineup, saw his team come close to scoring when Chico Banza managed to break through the Egyptian defense.

Key Moments

• First Half: Egypt failed to register a single shot on goal.
• Chico Banza’s missed chance: After a clever one-two, he dragged a shot wide.
• Fredy’s Performance: The Angola captain posed a constant threat, nearly scoring with a powerful shot that forced a save from Egypt’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir.
• Salah Mohsen’s Offside: He nearly scored but was ruled offside after Zizo’s cross.

Throughout the match, Angola’s efforts were notable. Their captain, Fredy, had several attempts on goal, including a free-kick that hit the crossbar. M’Bala Nzola, an attacking player for Angola, also came close to breaking the deadlock in the final minutes.

Analysis of Performance

Despite Egypt’s strong position in the group, the team’s inability to convert chances into goals raised concerns. Coach Hossam Hassan will have to reassess his lineup before the knockout stages, especially with the return of his first-choice attacking players. Angola, who reached the quarter-finals in the last AFCON tournament, showed promise but lacked the finishing touch to secure a victory.

Historical Context

Since the AFCON expanded to a 24-team format in 2019, no team has progressed to the knockout stage with fewer than three points. Angola’s recent lackluster performances have raised questions following their managerial change last September.

The upcoming matches will be crucial for both nations as they seek to finalize their strategies and improve upon their recent results in this competitive tournament.