Veteran striker Knowledge Musona scored a late equaliser as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday, in the second round of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group B matches.
Gatekeepers News reports that Angola took the lead midway through the first half through Gelson Dala, before Musona levelled in first-half stoppage time. The draw leaves both teams two points behind joint leaders Egypt and South Africa, with each having played one game more. Only the top two finishers in each group automatically advance to the knockout stage, with the four best third-placed teams also qualifying.
Zimbabwe had a chance to take the lead early when Bill Antonio blazed a close-range effort wide before a modest crowd in Marrakesh. Angola quickly recovered and established control, taking the lead in the 24th minute. A superb lobbed pass from To Carneiro found Dala inside the box, and the Qatar-based striker slotted the ball between the near post and Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
Musona, one of four changes to the Zimbabwe line-up following a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in Agadir four days earlier, grew increasingly involved as the Warriors pushed for an equaliser. He hit the defensive wall from a free-kick and later shot wide, frustrating Romanian coach Marian Marinica, who repeatedly shook his head.
Angolan goalkeeper Hugo Marques, 39, continued after receiving a heavy head bandage following a collision, keeping Angola in the game.
Zimbabwe’s persistence paid off six minutes into added time at the end of the first half. After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe launched a swift counterattack. A precise pass found Musona inside the box, and he calmly slotted the ball between the legs of Carneiro and just wide of Marques’ outstretched leg to make it 1-1.
In the second half, both teams pushed for a winner, but Marques kept Angola in the game with an acrobatic one-handed save from substitute Tawanda Chirewa twelve minutes from full time.
The draw leaves Zimbabwe and Angola both needing wins in their remaining group matches to secure progression to the AFCON knockout phase.
