Musona strike earns Zimbabwe 1–1 draw with Angola at AFCON

Veteran forward Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1–1 with Angola in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B match in Marrakesh on Friday.

Angola took the lead in the first half through Gelson Dala, but Musona equalised deep into first-half added time.

The result suited neither side, as both teams now sit two points behind joint group leaders Egypt and South Africa, having played one game more.

Zimbabwe started brightly and almost went ahead early on, but Bill Antonio fired wide from close range in front of a small crowd.

Angola responded well and took control of the game. Their pressure paid off in the 24th minute when Qatar-based striker Dala opened the scoring. A fine lobbed pass from To Carneiro picked him out in the box, and Dala squeezed the ball past goalkeeper Washington Arubi at the near post.

Musona, recalled to the starting line-up after Zimbabwe’s loss to Egypt, grew into the game as the Warriors searched for an equaliser. He first hit a free-kick into the wall and later shot wide, showing his frustration.

Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, 39, was forced to play on with a heavily bandaged head after a collision.

Musona’s persistence was rewarded six minutes into first-half added time. After Angola lost the ball in midfield, Zimbabwe broke quickly, and a well-timed pass found Musona in the box. He calmly slipped his shot through the legs of Carneiro and past Marques to make it 1–1.

Both teams pushed for a winning goal in the second half. Angola were denied late on when Marques made an excellent one-handed save to stop substitute Tawanda Chirewa with 12 minutes remaining.

Only the top two teams in each group qualify automatically for the knockout stage, with the four best third-placed teams also progressing.