AFCON 2025 Group A: Zambia catches Mali with last attempt to share spoils
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All original articlesMali’s Eagles fell into the trap of Zambia’s Chipolopolo (1-1) this Monday during their first outing at AFCON 2025. While they have been leading since the hour mark, Tom Sainfiet’s men were caught up in added time and are already under pressure before the second day against Morocco.
A sterile domination
Known for their flamboyant game, Mali once again regaled their fans in Casablanca with a smooth ball flow, synchronized movements and strong sequences. But their old demons end to show up again and again. lack of finishing.
Mamadou Fofana from the right or Amadou Danté coming from the left have contributed a lot in exceeding their functions with fulgurances in the corridors but their crosses were either poorly exploited by El Bilal Touré or could not find any takers in the area.
Clearly in difficulty against the Malian control, Zambia will eventually concede a penalty five minutes before the break. After watching the VAR, it was confirmed, but El Bilal Touré will see his hit without conviction taken out by Willad Mwanza, who made a splendid save to put the Eagles in check and allow Chipolopolo stay in the game.
Lassine Sinayoko delivers Mali
Tom Saintfiet’s men only needed one thing in the second half against Zambia: to validate their best times. And if Mali continued to push to find this small liberating goal, it often encountered a hermetic defense or a huge Mwanza between the sticks.
It was necessary to wait for the hour mark, a little more even, before the Zambian defense gave in to the Malian assaults. On a quickly executed corner, Lassine Sinayoko will hit the Chipolopolo by benefitting from a goal mouth struggle at the 61st minute.
Patson Daka and his teammates tried to get back on the score but their only shot was elegantly stopped by Djigui Diarra who responded with presence on this rare request in the 70th minute.
Relaxation and punishment
In management during the last minutes of the game, Mali was cornered by the Chipolopolo until the end of regulation time. And if the defense has often responded with great luck moments in the game, the pressure exerted by Zambia will pay off in additional time.
With a magnificent cross from Banda, Patson Saka will equalise for Zambia with a wide header that beat Djigui Diarra (90+2) and snatch the point of the draw for his country. Bad operation therefore for Mali who is already under pressure before their match of the second day against Morocco, Friday, December 26 in Rabat (20h GMT).