The Africa Cup of Nations Group B fixture between Angola and Zimbabwe is set to take place on Friday at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
Angola began their tenth AFCON campaign with a 2-1 defeat to South Africa. Following the loss, the Red Devils will be eager to respond quickly and revive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
However, their recent form is far from convincing, with just three wins in their last nine matches. That said, Angola can draw some encouragement from history, having avoided defeat in their second group game in seven of their last eight Nations Cup appearances.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, showed plenty of early promise in their opening match at the sixth AFCON finals, leading Egypt for long spells before conceding a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Despite that spirited display, the Warriors’ tournament record offers little reassurance, as they have failed to progress beyond the group stage in each of their last five appearances, even when managing at least one victory in three of those campaigns.
With only two wins in their last 18 matches, one coming in a friendly, confidence remains limited that the tournament outsiders can buck the trend this time around.
Read our Angola vs Zimbabwe predictions and preview to find out, but remember to also check our other AFCON predictions.
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Angola vs Zimbabwe prediction: The Red Devils to get narrow win
Key statistics
- Three of their last five meetings have ended with under 2.5 goals scored.
- First-half draws have been played in two of their last five encounters.
- Angola have only lost once in their last five games.
Correct score prediction: Angola 1-0 Zimbabwe
Considering the importance of qualifying from the group, we expect a close game, but we predict Angola to claim a narrow victory. The Red Devils are in better form than their counterpart heading into this clash and all indications point to them claiming a victory in this clash.
The visitors have struggled to rack up wins ahead of the competition, but they will be boosted by their recent victory, which will make the game very difficult for Angola. We predict a narrow 1-0 win for the Palancas Negras.
Pre-match odds and win probability: Angola tipped to get a win
- Home: 4/5 (1.80) – 55.6%
- Draw: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- Away: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
*Odds provided by Ladbrokes. Subject to change.*
The bookmakers favour Angola to take the points, with odds of 1.80 implying a 55.6% chance of victory. Zimbabwe are priced at 4.00 (25.0%), while the draw sits at 3.20 (31.3%), suggesting Angola hold the edge but could face a stubborn challenge if the match remains tight.
Most recent head-to-head: Zimbabwe edge short history
Looking at the competitive history between Angola and Zimbabwe, it shows that the Warriors have had a slight edge over the Palancas Negras. In their last five meetings, Zimbabwe have recorded three victories, while Angola have two wins.
The sequence includes a 2–0 AFCON qualifying win for Angola in 2012 and a 3–1 victory for Zimbabwe later that same year. They also met in a friendly game that ended 2-1 in favour of the Warriors.
International Match 24/03/18
Angola
Zimbabwe
After reviewing our key Angola vs Zimbabwe predictions, be sure to visit our website for the remaining football betting tips today.
Angola preview: Just one injury concern
Angola have a single fitness concern to contend with, as forward Zini has been ruled out through injury and is not expected to feature in this match. Aside from his absence, the rest of the squad is fully fit and available, giving the coach plenty of options as the Red Devils look to respond.
Predicted lineup: Marques (GK), Mata, Gaspar, Buatu, Show, Luvumbo, Fredy, Maestro, To Carneiro, Gelson Dala & Nzola
Last five fixtures
- 22.12.25 – South Africa 2–1 Angola (AFCON)
- 17.12.25 – Angola 4–1 Mozambique (Friendly)
- 18.11.25 – Angola 3–2 Zambia (Friendly)
- 14.11.25 – Angola 0–2 Argentina (Friendly)
- 13.10.25 – Cameroon 0–0 Angola (World Cup Qualifier)
Zimbabwe preview: Clean bill of health
Zimbabwe approach this fixture with a clean bill of health, with no confirmed injury or suspension issues reported. As a result, the coach has a full squad at his disposal, providing maximum flexibility when selecting the starting lineup and shaping the game plan.
Predicted lineup: Arubi (GK), Murwira, Garananga, Takwara, Hadebe, Nakamba, Jalai, Fabisch, Dube, Msendami & Navaya
Last five fixtures
- 22.12.25 – Egypt 2–1 Zimbabwe (AFCON)
- 17.11.25 – Qatar 1–2 Zimbabwe (Friendly)
- 13.11.25 – Algeria 3–1 Zimbabwe (Friendly)
- 13.10.25 – Lesotho 1–0 Zimbabwe (World Cup Qualifier)
- 10.10.25 – Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa (World Cup Qualifier)
Player to watch: Fredy Ribeiro
Fredy Ribeiro will be the attacking threat for the Angola side. The forward has consistently been the creative mind in this ongoing AFCON competition and remains a crucial part of the Angola attacking unit. Despite his team losing, he was able to create an assist for his teammate to score against South Africa. His presence in their attack can help them get goals and possibly get a win against Zimbabwe.