Patson Daka scored deep in added time to help Zambia secure a 1-1 draw with Mali in their Group A opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Monday, Afrosport reports.
Chipolopolo made it to back-to-back AFCON tournaments for the first time in a decade and caused the first big moment in the game in the 42nd minute when Dorgeles Nene was brought down by Zambia defender Mathews Banda, and a penalty was awarded after a lengthy VAR review.
Besiktas forward El Bilal Toure was tasked with the responsibility of taking the spot kick, but it was saved by Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
After what was a largely drab affair at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca, the deadlock was finally broken in the 61st minute when Lassine Sinayoko fired in from close range from a rebound that fell to his path.
It seemed like the Eagles were going to take all three points until the 92nd minute when an unmarked Daka connected with Banda’s cross to head home.
FULL-TIME 🇲🇱🇿🇲
Mali and Zambia share the points in a 1-1 draw! 🤝#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @tecnomobile pic.twitter.com/iSlr6zf1qU
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 22, 2025
The draw ended Zambia’s losing streak at AFCON since their famous title triumph in 2012, and they will hope for their first win since that same period when they battle Comoros, while the Malians face hosts Morocco.
