Kenyan Referees at the Centre of Action as Angola and Zimbabwe Keep Alive AFCON Dream

Kenyan referee Peter Waweru Kamaku, assisted by comptriots Gilbert Cheruiyot and Stephen Yiembe, were at the thick of things as Angola and Zimbabwe played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their second group stage match at 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Both sides headed into Friday’s contest looking to avoid defeat to stay alive in the tournament after losing 2-1 in their opening matches on Monday.

The match got off to a great start with Angola going ahead first when Gelson Dala met a perfect cross from To Carneiro deep inside the box before controlling it with a nice first touch. He then produced an accurate strike into the bottom left corner to break the deadlock after 24 minutes.

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Three minutes later, Manuel Benson had a chance for Angola but sent a screamer wide of the right post from the edge of the box for a goal kick.

In the 32nd minute, Zimbabwe had their first real opportunity with a cross into the penalty area from Divine Lunga but the ball went out.

Kamaku couldn't ignore the rough tackle from Angola’s Fredy and blew for a freekick which Knowledge Musona took but his powerful shot sailed past the right post.

Musona then had three more chances to draw Zimbabwe level but missed before his moment of glory arrived on the stroke of halftime. In first half stoppage time, Musona scored with a brilliant shot into the bottom left corner after being released inside the box by a superb lofted pass from Bill Antonio.

After the break, Prince Dube had an opportunity that went out wide before Kamaku blew for a foul from Marvelous Nakamba which led to an Angola freekick. Fredy unleashed a sharp shot that sailed just wide of the right post as the ball went out of play, letting Zimbabwe off the hook.

Late in the second half, Zimbabwe had great opportunities to win the game, first Jonah Fabisch seeing his well-taken shot sail just over, before substitute Tawanda Chirewa sent in a powerful shot that drew a great save from Angola goalkeeper Hugo Marques.

The match ended 1-1, keeping both sides in the tournament, as they can still sail into the Round of 16 if Angola beat Egypt or Zimbabwe manage a victory against South Africa on December 29.