Article by Romeo Ene – Published Friday, December 26, 2025 6:03 p.m. / Updated Friday, December 26, 2025 6:04 p.m.
Zimbabwethe national team coached by the Romanian Mario Marinică (61 years old), obtained the first point at the African Cup of Nations. Despite starting with a second chance against Angola, Zimbabwe pulled out a 1-1 draw in the second group stage.
Mario Marinică's team was coming after coming close to a historic result in the first round. He led the Egyptian national team 1-0, but lost after a goal conceded in extra time (90+1').
VIDEO | Zimbabwe, the national team of Mario Marinică, got the first point at the Africa Cup
Angola opened the scoring in the 24th minute through Gelson Dala, who sent a shot from inside the box into the short corner of the Zimbabwe goalkeeper.
With 6 minutes shown by the match referee, Zimbabwe restored the tie in the last phase of the extra time of the first half. Knowledge Musona took a perfect pass from Bill Antonio and gave the Angola goalkeeper no chance.
It ended 1-1, and Marinică's team is in 3rd place in group B, with one point. Egypt South Africa, Ngezana's national team from FCSB, is the leader with 3 points, tied with Egypt. The two national teams meet in a direct match today. Angola is on 4 (one point).
Mario Marinică // PHOTO: X
Mario Marinică has been the coach of the Zimbabwe national team since November 4, 2025. It was his fourth match in this position. He previously led Liberia and Malawi. He also served as the technical director of Malawi's Kerala Blasters, and at Concordia Chiajna he was an assistant.
For the Zimbabwe national team, the duel with South Africa follows, on December 29, from 18:00. The first two places go on to the African Cup, together with the national team in 3rd place with the most points.
