ZAMBIA secured a dramatic late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Mali in Group A of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, leaving hosts Morocco as the sole leaders of the group.
The match saw Mali dominate possession from the opening whistle, creating multiple chances. Their most notable opportunity came in the 41st minute when Dorgeles Nene was fouled in the box. El Bilal Touré stepped up to take the resulting penalty but failed to convert, keeping the score level at halftime.
Mali continued to press in the second half. Touré had another chance with a header but was again denied, prolonging Zambia’s wait for relief. The breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute when Lassine Sinayoko finished calmly with his right foot from a corner-kick sequence, giving Mali the lead.
Zambia responded with urgency, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Their efforts paid off late in the match as star forward Patson Daka found the net, securing a dramatic 1-1 draw and keeping Zambia’s hopes alive in the tournament.
The result leaves Group A finely poised, with Morocco topping the table, while Mali and Zambia remain in contention for qualification to the knockout stages.
