Bill Leeroy Antonio of Zimbabwe is challenged by Clinton Mukoni Mata of Angola during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations game between Angola and Zimbabwe at Marrakech Stadium in Morocco on 26 December 2025 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Friday Dec 26, 2025. 15:08
Join AfricanFootball.com for LIVE updates from all 52 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as 24 teams battle for glory in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.
Today’s matches:
14h30 – Angola v Zimbabwe
17h00 – Egypt v South Africa
19h30 – Zambia v Comoros
22h00 – Morocco v Mali
Updates:
39′ – There is a lengthy break in play as Marquez receives medical attention after taking a knock. He seems okay to continue though.
34′ – The Warriors are presented with a good chance to equalise after winning a free-kick in a dangerous position. Knowledge Musona goes for power and fails to test test Hogo Marques with a wayward effort from the dead-ball situation.
27′ – Angola go in search of more goals and this time it’s Manuel Benson who unleashes a shot from the edge of the box, but it lacks accuracy and drifts well wide of the right post.
24′ – Goal! Angola 1-0 Zimbabwe. The early pressure from the Black Sable Antelopes pays off as Dala does well to control To Carneiro’s cross before tucking his shot past Arubi to open the scoring.
22′ – Arubi is given more work to do after M’Bala Nzola rises to meet a cross with his head, although the goalkeeper is well placed to make a comfortable save.
16′ The Black Sable Antelopes threaten again through Jonathan Buatu, who gets on the end of a cross to direct his header on target, but Arubi pulls off a smart save.
14′ Washington Arubi is called into action for the time after Gelson Dala skips past two defenders and forces the goalkeeper into a fine save.
11′ – The first shot of the game comes the way of Angola as Beni Mukendi picks up a loose ball on the edge of the box and has a pop at goal, but his shot sails to the right of the target.
1′ – We are underway at the Marrakesh Stadium.
What the managers said:
Zimbabwe head coach Mario Marinica: “We played a good match. We started well and the players stuck to the game plan we had prepared.
“But the quality of the Egyptian players made the difference. It is disappointing to lose a match like that. But we are proud of our players. We must stay the course, and we will aim to get at least four points from the next two matches to qualify.”
Angola head coach Patrice Beaumelle: “Obviously, we are a little disappointed to lose our opening match, because when you start a competition it is always important to pick up points.
“We made two mistakes, and against a team of this level, every mistake is punished immediately. On our side, we must keep our heads up and move forward, because we still have two matches to play.”
An important three points will be up for grabs when these two COSAFA rivals lock horns in Marrakesh.
Both teams are looking to put their first points on the board in Group B, with Angola losing 2-1 to South Africa in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations opener on December 22, while Zimbabwe squandered an early lead to be beaten 2-1 by Egypt.
Angola v Zimbabwe starting line-ups:
Angola: H. Marques, C. Mata, J. Buatu, D. Carmo, To Carneiro, B. Mukendi, Show, M. Benson, Fredy, G. Dala, M. Nzola.
Zimbabwe: W. Arubi, G. Takwara, M. Nakamba, T. Hadebe, E. Jalai, P. Dube, J. Fabisch, B. Antonio, D. Lunga, M. Bonne, K. Musona.