Angola went into their final Group B match of AFCON 2025 needing a win against already-qualified Egypt to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. The game took place at the Grand Stade d’Agadir in Agadir, with Egypt having already secured top spot in the group regardless of the result. For Angola, victory remained essential, depending also on the outcome of South Africa’s match. This fixture marked the third time the two nations have met at the Africa Cup of Nations, and before today Angola had never beaten Egypt in eight previous encounters.
The opening stages of the match were played at a cautious pace, with neither side creating many chances in the first 10 minutes. Angola finally produced a meaningful effort in the 13th minute when a wide free-kick was cleared only as far as Gaspar, who found himself free inside the box but fired his first-time shot over the bar. Egypt continued to keep their shape and offered little risk, clearly content to manage the game.
Just before halftime, Angola wasted another golden opportunity. In the 43rd minute, Banza combined brilliantly with Mabululu and found himself through on goal, only to drag his shot wide of the target. It was a major let-off for Egypt, whose rotated squad were seeing less of the ball but doing enough defensively to stay level at the break.
Angola began the second half with intent and controlled long spells of possession. Lavumbu delivered another dangerous cross that took a slight deflection, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Shobeir read it well and gathered calmly, continuing a confident performance. Despite Angola’s growing urgency, Egypt remained compact and disciplined.
In the 79th minute, Egypt threatened on the counter as Zizou picked up the ball inside the area with time and space. Before he could pull the trigger, Modesto produced a superb sliding challenge to deny the forward. Angola pushed forward again moments later, with Ary Papel trying to pick out a teammate in the box, but the final touch kept evading the Palancas Negras. Dala then created space inside the penalty area but could not find room to shoot, and Ary Papel’s cross to Benson resulted in a scuffed volley that failed to trouble the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, Show tried a long-range curling effort, but it sailed high and wide, confirming that neither side would find a breakthrough.
The match ended 0-0, leaving Angola frustrated after failing to convert several promising opportunities. The result means Angola finish third in Group B with just two points, meaning their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 now depend heavily on other results. Egypt, having rotated their entire starting lineup, appeared satisfied to see out a quiet and controlled draw, already assured of top spot and progression to the knockout rounds
