Mali Stunned Late as Zambia Snatch Dramatic Draw in CAN 2025 Opener
So, this is one of those results that already feels like a turning point early in the Africa Cup of Nations. Mali’s opening match at CAN 2025 was supposed to be routine, maybe not easy, but controlled. Instead, it ended in frustration, disbelief, and a late sting that no one in Malian colors saw coming.
After Morocco’s win over Comoros in the tournament opener, pressure was quietly building on Mali to respond and keep pace in Group A. From the first whistle in Casablanca, it was clear the Eagles meant business. Possession was largely controlled by Mali, the tempo was set in midfield, and Zambia were pushed deep for long stretches. Chances came, but not in waves, and that would later matter.
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The first half was tense and scrappy, with fouls breaking the rhythm again and again. A big moment arrived just before halftime when Mali were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. It felt like the breakthrough everyone was waiting for. But the chance was wasted, as the spot-kick was saved, and Zambia somehow survived to reach the break level at 0-0. That miss quietly kept the door open.
After the restart, Mali continued to look like the better side. The pressure was renewed, and eventually it paid off just past the hour mark. From a quickly taken corner, confusion spread across the Zambian defense, and Lassine Sinayoko was in the right place at the right time. From close range, the ball was fired home, and relief swept through the Malian bench. At 1-0, it felt like the hardest part had been done.
But football has a habit of punishing teams that don’t finish the job. Mali had chances to double the lead. They pushed, they probed, and they even came close, but the killer goal never arrived. Zambia, largely quiet for most of the match, stayed alive simply by refusing to panic.
Then came the moment that changed everything. Deep into stoppage time, with Mali already thinking about three points, the defense was caught out of shape. A cross was delivered, a run went unchecked, and Patson Daka rose to head the ball home. Just like that, the stadium fell silent. The equalizer was scored almost out of nowhere, and it felt cruel.
The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw that felt like a loss for Mali and a huge moral victory for Zambia. It was the first real surprise of CAN 2025. In Group A, Morocco were the clear beneficiaries, sitting alone at the top, while Mali were left to reflect on a match that should have been won but wasn’t.
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