Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in MARAKECH, Morocco
EVER since their Africa Cup of Nations debut in 2004, Zimbabwe have had a knack for summoning something special in their final group games. They beat Algeria in 2004, Ghana in 2006 and Guinea in 2022. Each of those victories came in dead rubbers. Now the Warriors need that final-day magic again — only this time it truly matters.
A 1-1 draw against Angola at the Grand Stade de Marakech yesterday kept Zimbabwe alive in Group B, but also left them nursing the familiar ache of what might have been. They must now beat rivals South Africa on Monday to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage intact.
This was a game Zimbabwe could have won. Chances arrived early and often. The finishing never quite followed. Angola struck first through Jacinto Muondo Dala — better known as Gelson Dala — who beat Washington Arubi at his near post after finding space inside the box. It was a soft concession in an otherwise solid defensive display.
Just as Angola looked set to head into the break with a slender lead, Knowledge Musona intervened. The veteran striker latched onto a cross from the lively Bill Antonio, cushioned the ball with calm assurance and drove it past a desperate Hugo Marques.
At 1-1, Zimbabwe had momentum and belief.
What followed was a night defined by missed moments. Antonio burst through inside the opening two minutes but fired over with the keeper beaten. Tawanda Chirewa unleashed a fierce second-half effort that drew a stunning save from Marques. Late on, substitute Ishmael Wadi found space in the box but could not turn his chance into a winner.
All those moments circled the same question: what if? The reality, though, is simple. Zimbabwe must beat South Africa at the same venue on Monday to stand a real chance of qualifying for the second round. Four points would put them firmly in contention among the best third-placed teams.
Zimbabwe have never progressed beyond the group stages since their Afcon bow in 2004. That history still hangs over them, but there is a sense this team is pushing against it.
Coach Marian Marinica cut a calm and defiant figure after the match, wasting no time in turning attention to Bafana Bafana.
“We still have a chance, we need a win and with four points we still have a chance,” Marinica boldly told the media.
Since taking over from Michael Nees in early November, the Romanian has overseen a side that now scores in every game. The goals are coming, even if the finishing still needs sharpening.
He admitted as much.
“Unfortunately a little bit of composure was missing from our side, but we tried to win and it didn’t happen,” said Marinica.
The Warriors also continue to concede at costly moments. Against Egypt, they led for 64 minutes before surrendering two late goals in a 2-1 defeat. Marinica made four changes to the team that faced Egypt. Divine Lunga, Macauley Bonne, Bill Antonio and Knowledge Musona came in for Munashe Garananga, Washington Navaya, Daniel Msendami and Godknows Murwira.
Antonio, who plays his club football in Belgium, immediately stretched Angola and created the game’s first clear opening.
“We made some adjustments from the last game. We needed to tighten the defence and not concede goals in key moments of the game,” added Marinica.
Only 34 days into the job, the coach already speaks with conviction about where this team is headed.
“The boys are responding well. The game was very tough, we knew that we had a very, very difficult opponent and they proved that. It was a very balanced game, they had chances, we also had very clear chances.”
Asked whether the draw felt like a point gained or two dropped, Marinica did not dodge the tension.
“You would feel it’s two points dropped considering we created chances and we had a big chance to finish off the game. But at the same time we managed to come back from behind against a tough team, so from that end it was a point gained,” said Marinica.
He also acknowledged the backing the team continues to receive.
“Once again a Merry Christmas to everyone and all the best to all your families and all the best to all of them from Zimbabwe back home. We really appreciate their support and at the same time we try to thank everyone that was behind us including the country President and everyone from the parliament.”
While Chirewa dazzled after coming on, the man of the match award went to Angola captain Alfredo Kulembe Ribeiro, known simply as Fredy.
He reserved special praise for Antonio.
Zimbabwe are tough opponents. They are fast especially the left winger (Antonio), he was good. He was giving us a lot of trouble,” said Fredy.
The teams went in level at the break as the jiti hit Manhanga Matete blared over the PA system. The second-half followed the same pattern: energy, tension, chances, but no further goals.
Zimbabwe and Angola, both beaten in their opening matches by Egypt and South Africa, now sit tied on one point heading into the final round of fixtures. This was the first ever Afcon finals meeting between the two Southern African nations.
Angola, who fielded eight Europe-based players in their starting line-up, will face Egypt next.
For Zimbabwe, history still waits to be rewritten. They have never won any of their opening two Afcon matches since 2004, but they will feel they deserved more from this one.
There was also frustration over an early challenge that went unpunished. Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku, a university lecturer in Nairobi, escaped scrutiny after declining to show Manuel Da Silva a red card for a dangerous foul on Prince Dube. Dube, scorer of Zimbabwe’s brilliant goal against Egypt, again troubled Angola with his movement and strength.
Now it comes down to one last night in Marakech. Zimbabwe return to the Grand Stade on Monday for a winner-takes-all clash with South Africa, carrying belief, regret, and one final chance.
TEAMS
Angola: H. Marques, J. Buatu, C. Mukoni Lourenco, D. Do Carmo, M. Nzola, J. Muondo Dala, A. Carnero, B. Manuel, B. Mukendi (Z. Luvumbo 68), A. Ribeiro Fredy, M. Cafumana (A. Muanza Maestro 68)
Zimbabwe: W. Arubi, E. Jalai, T. Hadebe (B. Galloway 36’), G. Takwara, D. Lunga, M. Nakamba, J. Fabisch, Bill Antonio (I. Wadi 56’), K. Musona (T. Chirewa 56’), M. Bonne (W. Navaya 88), P. Dube
