AFCON 2025: Angola vs Zimbabwe preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

Both nations suffered narrow defeats in their opening matches, meaning this game is now a must-win encounter for both sides if they wish to progress to the knockout stages.

Angola's perfect run in the qualifiers turned out to be a disguise as they kicked off their tenth AFCON with a disappointing 2-1 loss to South Africa. 

Now, they are under serious pressure to bounce back and keep their knockout stage hopes alive, especially with heavyweights Egypt waiting in the final group match. 

While their form is not great, just three wins in their last nine games, the Red Devils usually manage to avoid defeat in their second group match, which they've done in seven of their last eight AFCON appearances.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, making their sixth appearance, showed some real promise against Egypt in the opener, even leading for a good while before a late stoppage-time winner broke their hearts. They have managed at least one win in three of their five previous tournaments before going home early every time. 

Unfortunately, their recent run, only two wins in their last 18 games (including a friendly), does not exactly inspire confidence that these AFCON underdogs can break that group stage curse here.

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The history between these two sides has been very competitive over the years. In their last five meetings across all competitions, Zimbabwe hold a slight advantage with three wins compared to two wins for Angola. 

While Zimbabwe have enjoyed more success recently, Angola won the last major Africa Cup of Nations qualification match between the two with a 2-0 victory in Luanda.

Angola will be without forward Zini, who misses out through injury and is not expected to feature in this fixture. The rest of the squad remains available for selection.

Zimbabwe head into the match with no confirmed absentees, and the squad is expected to be at full strength, giving the coach maximum selection flexibility.

Angola (4-2-3-1): Marques; Mata, Gaspar, Buatu, Show; Luvumbo, Fredy; Maestro, To Carneiro, Gelson Dala; Nzola

Zimbabwe (4-2-3-1): Arubi; Murwira, Garananga, Takwara, Hadebe; Nakamba, Jalai; Fabisch, Dube, Msendami; Navaya

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This match is set to be a cagey affair as neither side can afford another loss. Angola possess more individual quality in the final third with the likes of Luvumbo and Gelson Dala, but Zimbabwe have shown they are a very difficult unit to break down under pressure.

Given that both teams scored in their opening group games but eventually lost, we expect a very cautious approach here. A draw seems the most likely outcome, as both teams might settle for a point to stay alive heading into the final round of fixtures.