Egypt Hold Angola To Seal Group B Top Spot After Tense Stalemate
Egypt finished top of Group B at the Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Angola, while the Palancas Negras were left to wait on other results to learn their knockout-stage fate.
Egypt and Angola played out a goalless draw in their final Group B fixture of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade d'Agadir on Monday night, a result that suited the Pharaohs but left Angola in a nervous wait.
The match began at a high tempo, with Angola showing early intent through M'Bala Nzola and Mabululu, both of whom tested Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the opening exchanges. Egypt responded with set-piece pressure, Mostafa Mohamed and Hossam Abdelmaguid both going close from corners.
Angola arguably had the better chances in the first half, pressing aggressively and forcing Egypt into several fouls in midfield. Fredy and Maestro tried their luck from range, while Beni headed narrowly wide from a corner as the Palancas Negras searched for a breakthrough.
After the break, Angola continued to threaten. Fredy struck the post from a direct free kick before forcing another save from Shobeir moments later. Manuel Benson and Gelson Dala injected pace from the bench, stretching the Egyptian defence and keeping the pressure on.
Egypt, however, managed the game with experience. Zizo and Ibrahim Adel offered control in midfield, while Salah Mohsen and Mostafa Fathi looked to exploit space on the counter. Despite a late flurry of half chances, including a Hamdi Fathy effort that narrowly missed the target, the Pharaohs remained compact and disciplined.
Angola pushed until the final whistle, with Manuel Benson and Show both firing just wide in stoppage time, but Egypt held firm to preserve their clean sheet and secure first place in the group.
The draw confirmed Egypt position at the summit of Group B, underlining their defensive solidity heading into the knockout phase. For Angola, attention now turns to the remaining group fixtures as they await confirmation of whether their campaign will extend beyond the group stage.
