Angola and Egypt clashed today in a Group B match of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, held in Morocco. Egypt, having already secured their place in the Round of 16 as Group B leaders, approached the game with a sense of calm, while Angola needed a victory to ensure their progression. The match took place at the Grand Stade d'Agadir, with a kick-off time of 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT).

Egypt's coach, Hossam Hassan, made significant changes to the starting lineup, resting key players like Mohamed Salah, with the team already নিশ্চিত in the top spot. The starting lineup for Egypt included Shobeir, Eid, Abdelmaguid, Ismail, K Sobhy, Fattouh, Saber, Lasheen, Adel, Mohamed, and Mohsen. Angola, seeking to avoid elimination, also made changes, with their starting lineup featuring Marques, Modesto, Gaspar, Carmo, Fortuna, Maestro, Beni, Fredy, Luvumbo, Mabululu, and Banza.

Going into the match, historical records heavily favored Egypt, who were unbeaten in their previous encounters with Angola. In their eight previous meetings, Egypt had won four times and drawn four times, with two of those encounters occurring in the Africa Cup of Nations, both of which Egypt won 2-1.

Angola's coach, Patrice Beaumelle, was expected to be without midfielder Zini, further limiting options in the central areas. Angola needed a win to secure their spot in the knockout stages for the fourth time, having previously reached that stage in 2008, 2010, and 2023.

Hossam Hassan emphasized the importance of the match for Egypt, despite having already qualified. He stated that the team aimed to win and use the game as preparation for the next round. He also acknowledged Angola as a strong and respectable team.

The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is being held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.

The Egyptian Football Association expressed gratitude to the Moroccan fans for their support during the matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa in Agadir. The association also wished Morocco success in hosting the Africa Cup of Nations.

With Egypt already through to the next round, the match was crucial for Angola's hopes of progressing in the tournament. A win against the seven-time African champions would not only secure qualification but also boost the team's confidence and change how they are perceived on the continent.