Veteran striker Knowledge Musona struck a late equaliser as Zimbabwe fought back to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday, marking the opening of the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group fixtures.
Gelson Dala had put Angola ahead midway through the first half, but Musona levelled deep into first-half stoppage time.
The draw in Group B benefited neither side, leaving both two points behind joint leaders Egypt and South Africa, who have each played one match more. Only the top two teams in each group automatically progress to the knockout stage, while the four best third-placed teams from the six groups also advance.
Zimbabwe had an early opportunity when Bill Antonio squandered a close-range chance before a modest crowd in the central Moroccan city. Angola quickly regained control and took the lead in the 24th minute through Qatar-based striker Dala, who slotted home a low finish after To Carneiro’s precise lob dropped the ball at his feet inside the box, beating 40-year-old goalkeeper Washington Arubi at the near post.
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Musona, one of four changes to the Zimbabwe line-up following a 2-1 loss to Egypt in Agadir four days earlier, became increasingly influential as the Warriors pressed for an equaliser. He initially frustrated Romanian coach Marian Marinica by sending a free-kick into the defensive wall and later missing another attempt.
Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, 39, continued after a collision in the first half, playing with his head heavily bandaged.
Musona’s persistence paid off six minutes into added time at the end of the first half. After Angola were dispossessed in midfield, Zimbabwe launched a swift counterattack, and a precise pass found Musona in the box. He calmly slotted the ball between the legs of Carneiro and just beyond the outstretched right leg of Marques to level the score.
Both sides searched for a winner in the second half, with Marques keeping Angola in the game with a spectacular one-handed save from substitute Tawanda Chirewa 12 minutes from full time.
The draw leaves both teams in a precarious position, needing full points in their remaining matches to stay in contention for the knockout phase.
