CAN 2025 / Angola - Zimbabwe: history of head-to-head encounters | OneFootball

CAN 2025 / Angola - Zimbabwe: who holds the historical edge?

CAN 2025 / Angola - Zimbabwe: history of head-to-head encounters

Angola and Zimbabwe are far from mere one-night opponents: their shared history spans nearly forty years of intense duels and boasts a rare balance on the continent. Heading into December 26, 2025 in Marrakech, the two sides have faced off 19 times, splitting 8 wins each and 3 draws, with Zimbabwe holding a slight edge in attack (23 goals to 20). Their first meeting, back in 1985, ended in a Zimbabwean victory (3-2), sparking a rivalry that would unfold across every possible stage: World Cup qualifiers, AFCON, and COSAFA tournaments.

A rivalry defined by turning points before a first-ever meeting in the finals

Among the most symbolic dates, the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup stand out as a defining memory. Angola secured a 1-0 win in Luanda, Zimbabwe responded with a 2-0 victory in Harare, but it was Angola who ultimately clinched qualification for what remains their only World Cup appearance. More recently, the COSAFA Cup has regularly stoked the rivalry, with tightly contested semi-finals and last-gasp eliminations.

Now, CAN 2025 finally offers a first-ever showdown between these two nations in the final tournament stage. Both Angola and Zimbabwe suffered opening defeats (2-1), making it clear that another slip could spell the end of the road. A historic rivalry, a must-win clash: sometimes, football demands that everything comes down to a single night.