Angola 0-1 Libya Player Ratings: Al Mariami's Header Seals Shock Away Win

Angola hosted Libya for an important outing for the upcoming World Cup berth held at the Estádio 11 de Novembro on September 4, 2025. Both teams entered this WC Qualifiers Africa knowing that points were crucial in their battle to reach the 2026 World Cup. The first half was largely forgettable, with neither side managing to create clear-cut opportunities for their strikers. It felt like both teams were sizing each other up, unwilling to commit too many men forward. The real drama unfolded just three minutes into the second half. Ezzeddine Al Mariami rose highest to connect with a sublime cross from Fadel Mansour, placing a powerful header into the back of the net. The goal sent the small contingent of away fans into raptures and silenced the home crowd.

Angola huffed and puffed in response but simply couldn't break down the visitors' incredibly organized defense. What stood out to us was Libya's sheer determination. They fought for every ball and defended their box as if their lives depended on it. The game became increasingly feisty, with several yellow cards brandished, but Libya held their nerve to see out a monumental match and claim all three points. Here are the Angola vs Libya player ratings:

Libya Player Ratings vs Angola

Here are the Libya player ratings vs Angola:

Goalkeeper

Murad Al-Wuheeshi - 7.5: The captain led by example. He wasn't peppered with shots but showed great composure when called upon. What we noticed was his command of the penalty area, especially from set-pieces. He marshaled his defense expertly and deserved his clean sheet before being subbed off late, possibly with a knock.

Defenders

Ahmed Saleh - 7.0: A rock at the back. He put his body on the line and made several crucial tackles. Earned a late yellow card, but it was a necessary foul to break up a promising Angola attack. He was a key reason Angola's forwards had such a frustrating night.

Saif Jaddour - 6.5: A solid, if slightly nervy, performance. He defended well for the most part but his 51st-minute yellow card put him under pressure. From our perspective, the manager made the right call to substitute him later to avoid a potential red card. He did his job effectively while on the pitch.

Muhand Musthfa Madyen - 6.5: An unsung hero in the backline. He was positionally flawless and contributed to a masterclass in defensive organization. He didn't do anything flashy, but he didn't need to. A very disciplined and effective performance that was crucial for the clean sheet.

Midfielders

Fadel Mansour - 8.0: An outstanding display. He provided the moment of real quality in the match with a perfect assist for the winning goal. Beyond that, his work rate in midfield was immense. He was constantly breaking up play and starting attacks.

Maruwan Al-Hbeishi - 7.0: The engine of the team. He seemed to be everywhere, covering an incredible amount of ground. His energy was infectious, and he played a simple but vital role in disrupting Angola's rhythm. A classic box-to-box performance.

Mahmoud Al-Shalawi - 6.0: A steady and reliable presence in the midfield. He did the simple things well and kept the team's shape intact. He didn't stand out, but he was an important cog in a well-oiled machine before being substituted.

Musrati - 6.0: He did exactly what was asked of him. His primary role was to press and harry the Angolan midfielders, and he did it tirelessly. This kind of selfless running is what wins you tough away games.

Fadel Salama - 6.0: Another player who sacrificed his own game for the team's benefit. He held his position brilliantly and provided an extra layer of protection for his defense. His discipline was remarkable throughout the game.

Forwards

Ezzeddine Al Mariami - 8.5: The undisputed man of the match. He was a thorn in Angola's side all evening and took his one big chance with a brilliant header. His movement was sharp, and his finish was clinical. A heroic and match-winning performance from the attacker, making him the highest-rated player.

Muad Eisay - 6.5: He didn't get on the scoresheet, but his contribution was significant. He worked tirelessly, pressing the Angola defenders and never giving them a moment's peace. His selfless running created the space for Al Mariami to exploit. A real team player.

Manager

A. Cissé - 8.0: He got his tactics absolutely spot on. He set his team up to be compact and difficult to beat, and they executed his plan to perfection. His side was organized, disciplined, and clinical when their chance came. A tactical masterclass that secured a massive away win.

Angola Player Ratings vs Libya

Here are the Angola player ratings vs Libya

Goalkeeper

Neblú - 6.0: He could do very little about the goal; it was a powerful header from close range. Otherwise, he had a surprisingly quiet night. He was left exposed by his defense for the decisive moment.

Defenders

Clinton Mata - 5.5: A difficult outing for the defender. He was caught out of position a few times and struggled to cope with Libya's attacks. His frustration was evident when he picked up a late yellow card. He was substituted soon after, which summed up his night.

David Carmo - 6.0: Part of a defensive unit that lost concentration at the vital moment. He was generally solid in the air, but will be disappointed to have conceded from a header. He looked comfortable on the ball but couldn't instigate enough from the back.

Kialonda Gaspar - 6.0: Like his central defensive partner, he had a decent game, undone by one lapse. The communication for the goal seemed to be missing.

Pedro Bondo - 6.0: He tried to offer an outlet on the flank, but his delivery often let him down. He was pinned back for large parts of the game by Libya's winger.

Midfielders

Fredy - 6.5: The captain never stopped trying to make things happen. He was constantly demanding the ball and trying to drive his team forward. However, he was met by a wall of Libyan midfielders and couldn't find the key to unlock their defense.

Show - 5.5: A very quiet and ineffective game. From our perspective, he was a passenger for large periods. He failed to impose himself on the match and was rightly substituted as Angola chased an equalizer.

Milson - 6.0: He showed some nice touches and moments of skill, but was ultimately crowded out. He struggled to find pockets of space to operate in. It was a frustrating experience for a creative player against such a disciplined defensive setup.

Forwards

Laurindo Dilson Maria Aurélio - 5.0: He was completely anonymous. He barely had a touch of the ball and offered no threat to the Libyan goal. It was no surprise to see him substituted after an hour. A really poor performance.

Randy Nteka - 5.0: Hooked at halftime, and it's easy to see why. He was invisible in the first 45 minutes, offering nothing in terms of movement or threat. A dreadful display and one of the worst performers on the pitch.

Zito Luvumbo - 5.5: He was slightly more involved than his fellow attackers but still highly ineffective. He was also withdrawn at halftime as the manager desperately sought a change.

Manager

P. Soares Gonçalves - 5.5: His team looked devoid of ideas. They were predictable in attack and vulnerable to the counter. His halftime changes failed to have the desired impact, and his side never really looked like scoring. A very disappointing home performance and a tactical defeat.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Ezzeddine Al Mariami