AFCON 2025: Patson Daka’s Brilliant Header Breaks Mali’s Hearts as Zambia Pinch Point From Jaws of Defeat

Patson Daka scored a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Zambia against Mali in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener in Casablanca on Monday.

The result extends Zambia's strong record against their opponents, having now lost just one of their last six encounters.

Mali started on the front foot, creating the first significant opportunity just five minutes into the match. Dorgeles Nene found space inside the box but sent his shot narrowly wide of the post.

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The first half was a cagey affair with limited attacking quality and few clear-cut chances from either side. However, Zambia had Benson Sakala to thank for a crucial intervention on the half-hour mark, as his perfectly-timed tackle denied Lassine Sinayoko a clear shot on goal from the edge of the area.

As halftime approached, Mali were handed a golden chance to break the deadlock when Nene was fouled inside the penalty area by a clumsy challenge from Mathews Banda.

Following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded, but El Bilal Touré's subsequent spot-kick was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, who dived low to his left to keep the score level at the interval.

Zambia struggled to create any meaningful attacks, failing to register a single shot until the 73rd minute, but they remained defensively solid. Their resistance was finally broken just after the hour mark when Mali's sustained pressure paid off.

From a corner, the ball found an unmarked Touré, and after a scramble, Sinayoko pounced. His initial shot was blocked, but the rebound fell kindly for him, and he made no mistake, firing home from close range to give the Eagles the lead.

Mali nearly doubled their advantage shortly after, but Gaoussou Diarra's acrobatic effort was collected by Mwanza. With Zambia offering little threat going forward, it appeared Mali had done enough to secure the victory.

However, in a stunning turn of events, the Copper Bullets found an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time. A cross from Banda found Daka, who directed a close-range header into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Zambian supporters.

The late goal left Mali to regret their missed chances, particularly the first-half penalty. While they extended their unbeaten run in AFCON opening matches to 14 games, it will be little consolation as they immediately lose ground on group leaders Morocco.