Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe, Dala and Musona's goal brings draw to each team

Game is over and the final score is Angola 1-1 Zimbabwe. Here is the match report.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

1-1

Match Events:

0'  First Half begins.

4'  Show (Angola) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

13'  Attempt blocked. Manuel Benson (Angola) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by M'Bala Nzola.

16'  Attempt saved. Jonathan Buatu (Angola) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Washington Arubi (Zimbabwe). Assisted by Clinton Mata with a cross.

24'  Goal! Angola 1, Zimbabwe 0. Gelson Dala (Angola) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tó Carneiro with a through ball.

38'  Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

45'+3'  Attempt missed. Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Jonah Fabisch.

45'+4'  Attempt missed. Divine Lunga (Zimbabwe) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.

45'+6'  Goal! Angola 1, Zimbabwe 1. Knowledge Musona (Zimbabwe) right footed shot from the right side of the box following a fast break.

49'  Prince Dube (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

49'  Attempt saved. Jonathan Buatu (Angola) left footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal by Washington Arubi (Zimbabwe).

56'  Attempt missed. Fredy (Angola) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.

59'  Substitution, Angola. Zito Luvumbo replaces Beni.

59'  Substitution, Angola. Randy Nteka replaces Manuel Benson.

58'  Substitution, Zimbabwe. Ishmael Wadi replaces Knowledge Musona.

58'  Substitution, Zimbabwe. Tawanda Chirewa replaces Bill Antonio.

61'  Jonah Fabisch (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

67'  Substitution, Angola. Mabululu replaces M'Bala Nzola.

71'  Attempt missed. Mabululu (Angola) header from the centre of the box is too high following a set piece situation.

76'  Zito Luvumbo (Angola) is shown the yellow card.

80'  Attempt missed. Prince Dube (Zimbabwe) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Tawanda Chirewa with a cross following a corner.

80'  Substitution, Angola. Milson replaces Gelson Dala.

80'  Substitution, Angola. Maestro replaces Show.

82'  Ishmael Wadi (Zimbabwe) is shown the yellow card.

83'  Maestro (Angola) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

89'  Substitution, Zimbabwe. Washington Navaya replaces Macauley Bonne.

Match Report

Angola and Zimbabwe played out a hard-fought 1–1 draw at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday, with points shared at the final whistle in a result that keeps Group B finely poised.

The Palancas Negras struck first in the 24th minute, when Gelson Dala latched onto a defence-splitting pass before producing a beautifully controlled finish to beat the goalkeeper and send the Angolan fans into celebration.

Zimbabwe, shaken but resolute, slowly grew into the contest.

Their persistence paid off in added time at the end of the first half. In the 45+6′ minute, veteran forward Knowledge Musona reacted quickest inside the box, stabbing home from close range to level the score just before the break and swing momentum toward the Warriors.

The second half delivered intensity, transitions, and tactical chess from both dugouts.

Angola boss Patrice Beaumelle urged his side higher up the pitch, introducing more width and tempo, while Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nakamba marshalled the midfield with authority, breaking up play and driving counters whenever possible.

Despite flashes of promise — including long-range efforts, set-piece threats, and last-ditch defending — neither side could find the decisive goal.

Zimbabwe goalkeeper Arubi pulled off crucial saves to deny Angola late on, while the Warriors wasted no time testing Angola’s backline at the other end.

The encounter, competitive but controlled, saw yellow cards shown to Angola’s Zito Luvumbo and Zimbabwe’s Jonah Fabisch, reflecting the physical stakes of a match both sides could ill-afford to lose.

The draw means both teams earn their first point of the tournament, following opening-match defeats.

With qualification still within reach, the race for knockout football remains open heading into the final group fixtures.

Line-ups

Angola XI: Hugo Marques, Fredy, Buatu, Mata, M'Bala Nzola, Manuel Benson, Gelson Dala, Show, Tó Carneiro, David Carmo, Beni Mukendi

Subs: Signori Antonio, Neblú, Ary Papel, Mabululu, Núrio Fortuna, Eddie Afonso, Milson, Chico Banza, Rui Modesto, Randy Nteka, Mário Balbúrdia, Maestro, Zito Luvumbo, Gaspar, Pedro Bondo

Zimbabwe XI: Knowledge Musona, Washington Arubi, Nakamba, Macauley Bonne, Teenage Hadebe, Gerald Takwara, Prince Dube, Divine Lunga, Jonah Fabisch, Bill Antonio, Emmanuel Jalai

Subs: Brendan Galloway, Alec Mudimu, Elvis Chipezeze, Junior Zindoga, Godknows Murwira, Martin Mapisa, Tawanda Chirewa, Tawanda Maswanhise, Ishmael Wadi, Sean Fusire, Daniel Msendami, Prosper Padera, Isheanesu Mauchi, Washington Navaya, Tadiwanashe Chakuchichi