Patson Daka struck deep into stoppage time to deny Mali victory as Zambia snatched a dramatic 1–1 draw in a Group A opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco on Monday.
The Leicester City striker headed home in injury time as Zambia held Mali to a draw in their tournament encounter.
Daka, who has scored just once for Leicester in the English Championship this season, threw himself at a Mathews Banda cross in the second minute of added time to earn the Chipolopolo an unlikely point.
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Mali dominated much of the contest at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca but were left frustrated after El Bilal Touré squandered a penalty late in the first half. Touré’s effort was saved by Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza after Banda was penalised following a VAR review for catching Nene Dorgeles in the box.
The West Africans eventually took the lead shortly after the hour mark when Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko reacted quickest to a corner, firing home at the second attempt from close range.
However, Daka’s late intervention denied Mali all three points, a result that will suit hosts Morocco, who opened Group A with a 2–0 win over Comoros on Sunday.
Morocco and Mali meet next in Rabat on Friday, while Zambia will face Comoros in their second group game.
Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet described the late setback as devastating.
“The equaliser was very painful. We were aiming to score three goals in this match,” Saintfiet said.
Zambia coach Moses Sichone, meanwhile, praised his players’ resilience.
“My players did the job against Mali. It was our opening match, and it was not easy,” Sichone said.
