Musona rescues Zimbabwe in AFCON 2025 draw with Angola
Veteran forward Knowledge Musona scored a crucial equaliser as Zimbabwe fought back to draw 1–1 with Angola on Friday in Marrakesh, as the second round of AFCON 2025 Group B matches got underway.
Angola had taken the lead through Gelson Dala midway through the first half, but Musona struck deep into first-half stoppage time to earn Zimbabwe their second point of the group stage.
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Zimbabwe nearly made the perfect start when Bill Antonio missed a golden opportunity from close range, firing wide with the goal at his mercy. The miss proved costly as Angola quickly settled into the contest and began to dictate possession.
The breakthrough came in the 24th minute. A perfectly weighted lobbed pass from Tó Carneiro dropped invitingly for Dala inside the penalty area, and the Qatar-based striker squeezed his effort past veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubiat the near post.
Musona leads Zimbabwe’s response
Musona, recalled to the starting lineup after Zimbabwe’s opening defeat to Egypt, grew into the game as the Warriors searched for a way back. The former captain saw a free-kick blocked by the wall before dragging another effort wide, drawing visible frustration from head coach Marian Marinica on the touchline.
Despite Angola’s control, Zimbabwe remained dangerous on the counter, and their persistence was rewarded six minutes into first-half added time.
After Angola were caught in possession in midfield, Zimbabwe broke quickly. A precise pass released Musona inside the box, and he calmly guided a low shot between the legs of Carneiro and beyond the reach of goalkeeper Hugo Marques to level the score.
Second-Half push, Goalkeepers shine
Both sides pushed for a winning goal after the break in an increasingly open contest. Angola goalkeeper Marques, who earlier continued after a heavy collision that left his head heavily bandaged, produced a decisive moment late on.
With 12 minutes remaining, the 39-year-old pulled off an acrobatic one-handed save to deny substitute Tawanda Chirewa, preserving the draw for Angola.
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Group B standings tighten
The result leaves Zimbabwe and Angola on two points each, both trailing joint leaders Egypt and South Africa, who have played one match fewer.
With only the top two teams in each group guaranteed automatic qualification for the knockout stage, both sides face mounting pressure in their remaining fixtures. While four of the six best third-placed teams will also progress, neither Zimbabwe nor Angola could afford to drop further ground.
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Once again, Musona’s experience proved invaluable for Zimbabwe on the continental stage. His composure and movement provided a focal point in attack and kept the Warriors alive in a tightly contested group.
As Group B edges toward its decisive phase, both teams know wins will be required to keep their AFCON 2025 ambitions firmly on track.
SportsLigue