Patson Daka struck deep into injury time to rescue a 1-1 draw for Zambia against Mali in their opening Group A fixture at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.
The Leicester City forward, who has found the net only once in the English Championship this season, rose to meet a Mathews Banda cross in the second minute of added time, snatching a point for the Chipolopolo against the run of play.
Mali largely controlled proceedings at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca but failed to make their dominance count. El Bilal Touré missed a crucial opportunity late in the first half when his penalty was saved by Zambian goalkeeper Willard Mwanza. The spot kick was awarded after a VAR review judged Banda to have fouled Nene Dorgeles in the area.
The West Africans eventually broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, with Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko reacting quickest to convert from close range after a corner, scoring at the second attempt.
Just as Mali appeared set to secure all three points, Daka’s last-gasp header changed the complexion of the match and kept Zambia alive in the group.
The draw leaves Group A finely balanced, a situation that will favour hosts Morocco, who opened their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Comoros on Sunday. Morocco face Mali in Rabat on Friday, while Zambia, still searching for their first AFCON win since lifting the trophy in 2012, will take on Comoros in their next outing.
