Egypt have taken the surprising decision to rest star forward Mohamed Salah for their final Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group B match against Angola, which kicks off at 4pm GMT on Monday, 29 December. The Pharaohs have already secured their place in the knockout stages but will aim to finish top of the group with a perfect record.
Team News and Starting Lineups
Egyptian manager has opted to leave his talisman, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, among the substitutes for the clash in Morocco. This move is seen as a chance to give the 32-year-old a rest ahead of the more demanding knockout phase. The starting XI includes Shobeir in goal, with a defensive line of Eid, Abdelmaguid, Ismail, and K Sobhy.
Angola, managed by Pedro Gonçalves, name a strong side as they chase the victory they need to progress. Their lineup features Marques in goal, with a team including Gaspar, Carmo, and forwards Mabululu and Banza leading the attack.
Historic Context and Stakes
The history between these two nations heavily favours Egypt. In eight previous meetings, Angola have never managed to beat the Pharaohs. Egypt have won four of those encounters, with the other four ending in draws. For Angola, securing their first-ever victory against the North African giants today would be a monumental achievement and could book their ticket to the next round.
Egypt come into the match having narrowly edged past Zimbabwe and South Africa in their opening two fixtures. While qualification is assured, they will want a more convincing performance. For Angola, the equation is simple: a win would almost certainly see them through as one of the best third-placed teams.
Tournament Background
The match is part of a busy day at AFCON 2025, following on from significant results on Sunday. In a major upset, Mozambique secured their first tournament win in 40 years by stunning Gabon. The atmosphere in host nation Morocco has been widely praised, with the country successfully showcasing its global standing as a football host.
Meanwhile, Tanzania's squad, which includes English-based players like the Rochdale duo featured in a recent interview, are also participating in the tournament, adding a unique cross-continental narrative to the event.
All eyes will be on whether Angola can finally break their duck against Egypt and make history, or if a Salah-less Egyptian side can maintain their dominance and complete a flawless group stage campaign.
