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Zambia equalise late to share spoils with Mali

Zambia's players celebrates their team first goal scored by Zambia's forward #20 Patson Daka during the Africa Cup of Nations. (AFP)
22 Dec 2025 20:17

 CASABLANCA (REUTERS)

Zambia’s Patson Daka scored with a spectacular diving header in stoppage time to see his side come from behind and force ​a 1-1 draw with Mali ‌in their opening Group A ​clash at the Africa ⁠Cup ‌of Nations finals on Monday.

Mali looked in control for most of the encounter ⁠but paid the price for sitting ⁠back in the closing stages as Zambia staged a ​late recovery with Daka leaping through the air to force home Mathews Banda’s curling cross two minutes into ​stoppage time at ‍the end of the game.

Lassine Sinayoko had taken advantage of sloppy defending to give ‍Mali a 62nd-minute ⁠lead after his ​strike partner El Bilal Toure had a ​first-half penalty saved.
Later on Monday, ‍Group B action gets underway with Angola and South Africa meeting in Marrakech followed by Egypt against Zimbabwe in ‌Agadir.

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