AFCON 2025: Angola, Zimbabwe settle for draw in Group B clash

Angola and Zimbabwe played out a 1–1 draw in their 1XBET AFCON 2025 Group B encounter at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Friday.

Angola took the lead in the 24th minute through Gelson Dala, who showed composure inside the box after latching onto a defence-splitting pass to beat the Zimbabwe goalkeeper and put the Palancas Negras ahead.

Zimbabwe responded with resilience and gradually found their rhythm as the game wore on.

Their persistence paid off deep into first-half stoppage time when Knowledge Musona struck in the 45+6th minute, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to slot home the equaliser just before the interval.

Both sides returned for the second half with renewed urgency, trading possession and tactical adjustments in a tense midfield battle.

Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle pushed his team higher up the pitch in search of a winner, while Zimbabwe captain Marvelous Nakamba anchored the midfield, disrupting play and launching counter-attacks for the Warriors.

Despite several promising moments, including set-piece opportunities and long-range efforts, neither side was able to find a decisive breakthrough.

Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi produced key saves late on to deny Angola, while the Warriors also threatened on the break but failed to capitalise.

The closely contested encounter saw yellow cards shown to Zito Luvumbo (Angola) and Jonah Fabisch (Zimbabwe) as both teams battled for control.

The result gives both teams their first point of the tournament, following defeats in their opening fixtures, keeping qualification hopes alive as Group B heads into its decisive final games.