Veteran forward Knowledge Musona was on target as Zimbabwe fought back to secure a 1-1 draw with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday, as the second round of Africa Cup of Nations group matches got underway.
Angola took the lead midway through the first half through Gelson Dala, but Musona restored parity deep into first-half added time.
The result did little to boost either side’s chances in Group B, with both teams remaining two points behind joint leaders Egypt and South Africa, having played one game more. Only the top two teams in each group qualify automatically for the knockout stage, along with the four best third-placed sides across the tournament.
Zimbabwe had an early opportunity to go ahead when Bill Antonio fired wide from close range before a modest crowd in the central city. Angola soon settled and began to control proceedings, opening the scoring in the 24th minute. A deft lofted pass from To Carneiro found Dala in the penalty area, and the Qatar-based striker squeezed the ball past 40-year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi at the near post.
Musona, recalled to the starting line-up following Zimbabwe’s 2-1 defeat to Egypt four days earlier, grew more influential as the Warriors pushed for an equaliser. He first struck a free-kick into the defensive wall before firing another effort wide, drawing visible frustration from coach Marian Marinica.
Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, 39, briefly required treatment and continued playing with a heavily bandaged head after a collision.
Musona’s persistence was rewarded six minutes into stoppage time at the end of the first half. After Angola lost possession in midfield, Zimbabwe broke quickly, and a precise pass found Musona inside the box. He calmly slotted a low shot through Carneiro’s legs and past the outstretched right foot of Marques to level the score.
Both teams pressed for a winner in the second half, but Marques preserved the draw with an acrobatic one-handed save from substitute Tawanda Chirewa 12 minutes from time.
