AFCON 2025: Leicester's Daka hurt's neck after late equaliser in Mali vs Zambia

AFCON is the tournament for vibes, memes, and humour in addition to great football. The 2025 edition in Morocco did not leave fans thirsting for too long before delivering classic AFCON comedy. 

Leicester City forward Patson Daka supplied the laughs in the second match of AFCON 2025, which pitted Zambia against Mali, as he fell comically while celebrating a late equaliser. 

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Daka scored a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser with a superb diving header for Zambia in their 1–1 Africa Cup of Nations Group A opener against Mali in Casablanca, after Lassine Sinayoko’s strike had put Mali ahead in the 62nd minute. 

Daka met Mathews Banda’s curling cross and powered a header into the net deep in stoppage time to secure the draw. The result leaves both teams with a point in Group A, where Morocco (hosts) also sit on one after beating Comoros 2–0 on the opening day. 

In the jubilation that followed, Daka attempted an acrobatic celebration (a combination of a cartwheel/backflip) but landed awkwardly on his neck and back. 

Thankfully, he avoided serious injury, amid concern among fans and commentators, as he did not require immediate medical removal from the pitch. 

Videos and posts circulating on social media of the awkward fall have received mixed reactions of relief and humour at what could have been a dangerous accident.