By Ayomide Otitoju
Leicester City striker Patson Daka scored an injury-time header to earn Zambia a 1-1 draw against Mali in their opening Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group A match on Monday.
Daka, who has managed just one goal for Leicester City in the English Championship this season, met a Mathews Banda cross in the second minute of added time to secure a last-gasp point for the Chipolopolo at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.
Mali dominated most of the encounter but were denied earlier by Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, who saved a late first-half penalty from El Bilal Toure. The spot-kick followed a VAR review after Banda was penalised for catching Nene Dorgeles in the box.
The West Africans eventually took the lead shortly after the hour mark when Auxerre’s Lassine Sinayoko converted a corner on his second attempt from close range.
Daka’s late strike ensured Mali dropped points, a result favourable to hosts Morocco, who defeated Comoros 2-0 in the tournament’s opening match.
Morocco will face Mali in Rabat on Friday, while Zambia, winless in their last 10 AFCON games since lifting the trophy in 2012, take on Comoros.
