Veteran forward Knowledge Musona scored a crucial goal as Zimbabwe fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Angola on Friday in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B clash in Marrakesh.
Angola took the lead in the first half through Gelson Dala before Musona struck deep into first-half stoppage time to restore parity for the Warriors.
The result left both teams on two points each after two matches, trailing group leaders Egypt and South Africa, who have four points apiece.
Only the top two teams in each group are guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, while the four best third-placed sides across the six groups will also progress.
Zimbabwe started brightly and could have gone ahead early, but Bill Antonio missed a clear chance when he fired wide from close range in front of a modest crowd at the Marrakesh Stadium.
Angola soon settled into the game and took control, opening the scoring in the 24th minute. A well-weighted lofted pass from To Carneiro found Dala inside the box, and the striker calmly squeezed his shot past veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi at the near post.
Musona, who was recalled to the starting line-up after Zimbabwe’s 2-1 loss to Egypt, gradually became more influential as his side searched for an equaliser.
He missed a free-kick after hitting the wall and later shot wide, drawing visible frustration from Zimbabwe coach Marian Marinica on the touchline.
Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, who continued playing with a heavily bandaged head after a collision, was eventually beaten in first-half added time.
After Angola lost possession in midfield, Zimbabwe launched a quick counter-attack. A precise pass released Musona inside the penalty area, and he calmly finished between the legs of a defender and just beyond the reach of Marques to make it 1-1.
Both teams pushed for a winning goal in the second half, but clear chances were limited.
Marques produced a key moment late in the game, making an acrobatic one-handed save to deny substitute Tawanda Chirewa 12 minutes from time and preserve the draw for Angola.
The stalemate means both sides now face a tough task in their remaining group matches as they chase qualification for the AFCON knockout stage.
