Veteran Knowledge Musona scored deep into first-half stoppage time as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, with both sides earning their first points of the tournament.
Angola took the lead in the 24th minute through Qatar-based striker Gelson Dala, before Musona responded to ensure his team stays in contention in the 2025 AFCON.
Zimbabwe, who had surrendered an early advantage to lose 2-1 against Egypt in their opening fixture, appeared resigned to another defeat. The 35-year-old Musona, one of four changes to the Warriors starting line-up, became increasingly involved as his side sought an equaliser but initially struggled to find the target.
Musona wasted a free-kick opportunity by hitting the ball into the defensive wall, then shot wide from distance, much to the frustration of Romanian coach Marian Marinica, who repeatedly shook his head on the touchline. Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, aged 39, had his head heavily bandaged after a collision with an opponent but continued bravely after treatment.
Angola’s Dala had latched onto a superb lobbed through-ball from Tó Carneiro before squeezing his right-footed shot between the near post and 40-year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi, finding the bottom left corner.
But the perseverance of Musona finally paid off in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the opening half when he equalised. After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe counter-attacked swiftly and a superb pass from Bill Antonio found Musona inside the box. The experienced captain struck a right-footed shot that went between the legs of defender Tó Carneiro and just wide of the outstretched right leg of Marques into the bottom left corner.
The equaliser transformed the complexion of the match. Zimbabwe emerged from the interval with renewed confidence and created the better opportunities during the second period. Tawanda Chirewa embarked on a threatening mazy run before unleashing an effort from outside the area, only to be denied by an exceptional acrobatic one-handed save from Marques 12 minutes from time.
Marques proved to be Angola’s saviour on multiple occasions, producing a string of impressive stops to preserve parity. The veteran shot-stopper’s heroics included turning away dangerous attempts from substitute Macauley Bonne and the persistent Chirewa, who grew increasingly influential as the match progressed.
Angola pushed forward in search of a winner during the closing stages but could not find a breakthrough against a Zimbabwe side growing in confidence and defensive solidity.
The draw leaves both nations on one point heading into their final group fixtures. Angola face table-topping Egypt on Monday, whilst Zimbabwe must defeat South Africa to maintain realistic hopes of progression. With Egypt already through to the knockout stages on six points, and South Africa on three, both Angola and Zimbabwe understand that only victory in their concluding matches may suffice to advance from Group B.
