El Bilal Toure of Mali challenges Owen Tembo of Zambia during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Mali and Zambia at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco on 22 December 2025 ©Ladjal Djaffar/BackpagePix
Monday Dec 22, 2025. 18:16
Mali and Zambia settled for a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations as Patson Daka stole the headlines at Stade Mohammed V on Monday afternoon.
The Eagles created the first bit of excitement in the tie in the third minute of the match following a swift passing move on the edge area but were unable to cap off the early attack.
Mali enjoyed the majority of the ball with around 15 minutes on the clock while Zambia continued to sit back with the hope of catching their opponents on the break.
Zambia did little to trouble the Mali backline with 10 minutes to the break, while Mamadou Sangare was one of Mali’s brightest sparks in the first-half, particularly with his driving runs toward the box.
Mali were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute following a pitch side review by the referee after Mathews Banda fouled Nene Dorgeles inside the box. However, El Bilal Touré saw his right-footed shot saved by goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.
With 10 minutes into the second-half, Mali continued to dominate on the possession count as Zambia had chances of their own.
Mali’s pressure paid off in the 60h minute as Lassine Sinayoko slotted home a loose ball inside the area following a dangerous cross on the left-hand flank of the pitch.
Zambia pushed for an equalizer in the 75th minute while Mali surrendered the ball momentarily. Chipolopolo strung passes together, none of which provided any attacking threat.
While Mali’s defence looked solid for much of the game, Patson Daka popped up in the 91st minute to score a late equalizer by latching onto a curling cross toward the 18-yard-area. The game thus ended in a 1-1 stalemate at Stade Mohammed V on Monday afternoon.
Mali: (0) 1 (Sinayoko 60’)
Zambia: (0) 1 (Daka 91’)
Mali: Diarra, Fofana, Diaby, Dante, Dorgeles (M. Doumbia 76’), Coulibaly, Dieng, Sangare, Sinayoko, K.Doumbia (Haidara 86’), Toure (Diarra 21’)
Zambia: Mwanza, L.Musonda, Sakala Chanda, M.Banda, Chaiwa (Simukonda 67’), Kangwa, Tembo, L.Banda (Sabobo 67’), F.Sakala (K.Musonda 78’), Daka