Dala and Musona on target as Angola and Zimbabwe share points at Afcon

Angola and Zimbabwe collected their first points of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after playing out a 1-1 draw in their Group B encounter in Marrakech, Sport360NG reports.

Angola took the lead through influential forward Gelson Dala, who continued his strong Afcon form by firing home from To Carneiro’s delicate chipped pass to cap a slick attacking move. The Palancas Negras looked set to carry a narrow advantage into the interval, but Zimbabwe responded in first-half stoppage time as returning captain Knowledge Musona expertly controlled Bill Antonio’s incisive pass before finishing clinically to restore parity.

The second half produced fewer clear-cut chances but was marked by alert goalkeeping at both ends. Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi denied Jonathan Buatu from close range shortly after the restart after David Carmo had nodded the ball into his path. At the other end, Angola’s Hugo Marques reacted sharply to push Tawanda Chirewa’s effort wide late on, before Carmo made a crucial block to prevent Prince Dube from converting at the far post from the resulting corner.

Arubi was again called upon in the closing stages, keeping out Milson’s curling attempt and later punching clear Fredy’s dangerous free-kick as Angola pressed for a winner.

The draw leaves both sides with one point heading into the final round of Group B matches. Zimbabwe will face South Africa in Marrakech on Monday, while Angola travel to Agadir to take on Egypt, with both fixtures kicking off at 16:00 GMT.

Friday’s meeting between Egypt and South Africa in Agadir could prove decisive for qualification, with victory for either side enough to secure a place in the knockout stage.

Zimbabwe head coach Mario Marinica, appointed in October, had urged his players to show greater organisation and control following their opening defeat by Egypt, a match in which they surrendered a half-time lead before Mohamed Salah struck deep into added time. Musona, who returned to international duty earlier this year after announcing his retirement in 2022, was among several players recalled, alongside defender Divine Lunga and winger Bill Antonio.

Both teams missed early opportunities, with Antonio firing over after breaking through on goal and Dala failing to capitalise when well placed. Zimbabwe were forced into an early defensive change when Teenage Hadebe was replaced by Brendan Galloway, while a clash of heads later in the half saw Marques receive treatment and return with a bandage.

Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle, a former Afcon winner as an assistant with Zambia and Ivory Coast, saw his side apply late pressure but without reward. With no winner emerging, both Angola and Zimbabwe now require positive results in their final group matches, and potentially an upset, to keep their hopes alive of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.