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By Seyi Babalola
Patson Daka’s spectacular stoppage-time header denied Mali victory as Zambia earned a 1-1 draw in a tense Group A match at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Monday.
Mali appeared to have all three points after dominating extended stretches of the game, but a late break in focus allowed Zambia’s talisman to score at the last minute, earning the Chipolopolo an important point.
The Eagles started brightly and imposed themselves from the opening exchanges, controlling possession and pushing Zambia deep inside their own half.
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Mamadou Sangaré and Lassine Sinayoko were at the heart of Mali’s attacking play, while El Bilal Touré tested the Zambian back line with his movement.
Mali’s dominance, clear chances were limited, with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza producing a series of important interventions to keep his side in the contest. His most significant moment came when he saved a penalty from Touré, preserving parity at a crucial stage of the match.
Mali’s breakthrough finally arrived just after the hour mark. A loose ball inside the area fell to Sinayoko, who reacted quickest and smashed a powerful effort beneath the crossbar to give the West Africans a deserved lead.
However, Zambia refused to relent. Deep into stoppage time, a lapse in marking proved costly as Daka rose highest in the box to power home a header, silencing the Casablanca crowd and rescuing a dramatic draw.
