Egypt concluded the AFCON group stage with a draw against Angola, securing the top spot in Group B and advancing to the knockout rounds.

Already qualified for the round of 16 after beating South Africa in the previous match, Egypt moved to seven points at the top of the group. Angola, meanwhile, collected only their second point and will now wait to see whether they can progress as one of the tournament’s best third-placed finishers.

Hossam Hassan rotates heavily, hands minutes across the squad

With qualification already in the bag, head coach Hossam Hassan used the final group match to rotate the squad.

By the end of the group stage, Egypt had used 26 of the 28 players selected for the tournament. The only players not to feature were goalkeepers Mohamed Sobhy and Ahmed El Shenawy.

Chances at both ends, Shobeir stands out

Despite the wholesale changes, Egypt carried threat early. The first clear opening arrived in the 20th minute when defender Hossam Abdelmaguid rose to meet a chance in the box after Mostafa Mohamed attempted an overhead kick, but Abdelmaguid’s header cleared the crossbar.

Angola responded with pressure as the half progressed. Their forward Mabululu tested Mostafa Shobeir with a low effort that was cleanly handled. Not long after, Zamalek’s Chico Banza squandered a close chance when he found space in front of goal but dragged his shot wide of the post.

Mostafa Shobeir’s strongest moment came when he denied Fredy from distance, continuing an assured performance that helped Egypt manage Angola’s bursts of attacking momentum.

Second-half changes, post denies Angola

Hossam Hassan reshaped the match at the interval with a triple substitution, introducing Zizo, Mostafa Fathy, and Yasser Ibrahim in place of Mahmoud Saber, Mostafa Mohamed, and Mohamed Ismail.

Angola came closest to scoring shortly after the restart, Fredy Balende struck the post from a direct free kick.

Egypt responded immediately with a counterattack and a powerful Zizo effort in the top left corner that forced the Angolan goalkeeper into an impressive save.

In the 64th minute, Egypt were forced into another change when midfielder Mohand Lasheen left the field injured, replaced by Mohamed Shehata. Hossam Hassan later made his final substitution in the 86th minute, sending on Hamdy Fathy in place of Salah Mohsen.

Neither side found the finishing touch, and the match ended goalless. The draw was enough for Egypt to complete the AFCON group phase in first place.

Knockout stage next, Egypt await third-placed opponent

The Pharaohs will now face the best third-placed team drawn from Group D.

Egypt’s path to the final:

  • Round of 16: Monday, 5 January — 6:00 p.m. — Agadir
  • Quarter-final: Saturday, 10 January — 9:00 p.m. — Agadir
  • Semi-final: Wednesday, 14 January — 7:00 p.m. — Tangier
  • Final: Sunday, 18 January — 9:00 p.m. — Rabat