Patson Daka rose highest when it mattered most. With the clock ticking into stoppage time and Zambia staring at defeat, the Leicester City striker threw himself at a cross and headed home to snatch a 1-1 draw against Mali in their AFCON 2025 opener at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

It was a goal that came from nowhere. Mali had dominated the match, missed a penalty, taken the lead, and looked certain to collect all three points. But football has a way of punishing teams who fail to kill off games, and Daka made them pay in the cruelest fashion.

For Zambia, the point feels like a victory. For Mali, it feels like two points dropped. And that is exactly what makes tournament football so unpredictable.

Mali Dominate But Waste Golden Chance

From the opening whistle, Mali looked the better team. They moved the ball quickly, created chances, and pinned Zambia deep inside their own half. The West Africans had all the possession and all the control. What they lacked was a finishing touch.

Their best opportunity came in the 42nd minute when the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Dorgeles Nene had been brought down by Mathews Banda inside the box, and Mali had the chance to take the lead before halftime.

El Bilal Toure stepped up to take the kick. The striker had been threatening all game and this was the perfect opportunity to open his AFCON account. But his penalty was poor. Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, who plays his club football for Power Dynamos, guessed the right way and made a comfortable save.

The miss would prove costly.

Sinayoko Breaks the Deadlock

Mali continued to push forward in the second half, and their pressure finally paid off in the 61st minute. Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired it into the roof of the net. It was a poacher’s finish from a player who had been Mali’s brightest spark all afternoon.

The goal was no more than Mali deserved. They had created chance after chance, and Sinayoko’s clinical strike looked like it would be enough to secure the three points.

Zambia, meanwhile, had offered almost nothing going forward. They had barely troubled Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra and seemed content to sit back and absorb pressure. It was a game plan that looked destined to fail.

Daka Delivers When All Seemed Lost

As the match entered stoppage time, Mali were cruising. They had defended their lead comfortably and Zambia showed no signs of finding an equalizer. The result seemed certain.

Then came the moment of magic.

A hopeful cross came in from the right wing, swinging into the box. Daka, who had been quiet for most of the match, suddenly burst into life. He escaped his marker, launched himself at the ball, and powered a diving header past Diarra and into the net.

The Zambian players mobbed their striker. The fans went wild. Daka was so excited that he attempted a backflip celebration, but landed awkwardly on his neck. Thankfully, he avoided serious injury and was able to continue.

It was a stunning end to a match that had looked done and dusted.

Zambia’s Incredible Winless Streak Continues

Here is a remarkable stat. Zambia have not won a single match at the Africa Cup of Nations since they lifted the trophy in 2012. That incredible run now stretches to 10 games without a victory, with eight draws and two defeats.

The 2012 triumph remains one of the most emotional stories in AFCON history. Zambia won the tournament in Gabon, just miles from where the national team plane had crashed in 1993, killing 18 players and officials. That victory was a tribute to those who lost their lives.

But since then, the Chipolopolo have struggled at continental level. They failed to qualify for several tournaments and have not made it past the group stage since their fairytale win.

This draw against Mali keeps their hopes alive, but they will need to improve significantly if they want to reach the knockout rounds.

What This Means for Both Teams

Mali will be kicking themselves. They dominated the match, created numerous chances, missed a penalty, and still managed to throw away two points in the final seconds. Coach Tom Saintfiet will be furious with his team’s inability to see out the game.

Their next match is against hosts Morocco on Friday, and that will be a much tougher test. If they play like they did against Zambia but fail to take their chances, Morocco will punish them.

For Zambia, this point could prove crucial. They face Comoros in their next game, and that is a match they will be expected to win. If they can pick up three points there, they will be in a good position to qualify for the knockout stages.

Daka’s header might just be the moment that saves Zambia’s tournament. But they cannot rely on last-minute heroics forever.