AFCON 2025: Zimbabwe hold Angola in thrilling draw

AFCON 2025 | Result

Results

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	Goals	Outcome
Angola	1	0	1	Draw
Zimbabwe	1	0	1	Draw

Zimbabwe held Angola to a 1-1 draw in a pulsating 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) encounter at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday.

The match began with high intensity. In the 14th minute, Gelson Dala embarked on a mazy run, skipping past two defenders, but he failed to find the necessary power to beat the goalkeeper from close range.

However, Dala made amends in the 24th minute, breaking the deadlock with a powerful strike into the far post. The quick-footed forward was expertly set up by To Carneiro after a momentary lapse in concentration from the Zimbabwean backline.

Angola

	Manuel Show Midfielder	4'
	Gelson Dala Forward	24'
	Zito Luvumbo Forward	77'
	António Muanza Midfielder	83'

Zimbabwe

	Divine Lunga Defender	38'
	Knowledge Musona Forward	45+7'
	Jonah Fabisch Midfielder	61'
	Prince Dube Forward	49'
	Ishmael Wadi Forward	82'

Zimbabwe faced a setback in the 37th minute when defender Teenage Hadebe was forced off with an injury and he was replaced by Brendan Galloway.

Shortly after, Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques was involved in a nasty collision. Despite suffering an elbow to the head, the 39-year-old veteran soldiered on with his head heavily bandaged.

On the stroke of halftime, Zimbabwe levelled the score. Knowledge Musonda found the bottom-left corner with a brilliant finish after being played through by Bill Antonio.

The second half began with both sides searching for a winner. Four minutes after the restart, Jonathan Buatu was picked out in the box by a lofted pass, but goalkeeper Washington Arubi produced a fine save to deny him.

In the 63rd minute, Zimbabwe’s Ishmael Wadi made a dangerous run into the area, but his effort was superbly tipped over the bar by the resilient Marques.

Despite late pressure from both teams, the defence held firm at either end, and the spoils were shared in a hard-fought encounter.

Group B Table