Knowledge Musona rolled back the years to keep Zimbabwe alive at the Africa Cup of Nations, firing a dramatic equaliser as the Warriors fought back to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday.
Angola struck first through Gelson Dala midway through the opening half and looked set to take control of the contest.
But just when Zimbabwe appeared to be running out of ideas, Musona delivered, deep into first-half added time to flip the momentum and earn a crucial point.
The draw did little to please either side. Both Angola and Zimbabwe now sit two points behind Group B leaders Egypt and South Africa, having played a game more, leaving little room for error with only the top two guaranteed passage to the knockout rounds.
Zimbabwe started brightly and should have led early on, but Bill Antonio blazed wide from close range in front of a sparse crowd.
That miss proved costly as Angola regrouped and took charge.
In the 24th minute, a delicate lobbed pass from To Carneiro split the defence and dropped invitingly for Dala, who squeezed his finish past veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi at the near post.
Zimbabwe responded with urgency, and Musona was recalled after missing the defeat to Egypt and he began to pull the strings.
He saw a free-kick thump into the wall and dragged another effort wide, drawing visible frustration from coach Marian Marinica on the touchline.
Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques, playing on with a heavily bandaged head after a collision, could not keep Musona out forever. Six minutes into added time, Zimbabwe pounced on a midfield turnover, broke at speed, and slid Musona through on goal.
His calm, low finish crept between Carneiro’s legs and past Marques to level the scores.
The second half opened up as both teams chased a winner. Angola relied on Marques’ reflexes late on, the 39-year-old producing a stunning one-handed save to deny substitute Tawanda Chirewa with 12 minutes left.
In the end, neither side found the breakthrough but for Zimbabwe, Musona’s moment of class ensured their AFCON hopes remain very much alive.
