Mali 1–1 Zambia AFCON 2025 Match Report | Group A
Mali and Zambia shared the spoils in a hard-fought Group A encounter at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a result that could prove significant in the race for the knockout stages. With hosts Morocco expected to set the pace in the group, both sides knew that avoiding defeat was crucial.
Mali started brightly and enjoyed the better of the first half, creating several openings through Lassine Sinayoko and Dorgeles Nene. Their biggest chance came in the 42nd minute when VAR awarded a penalty, but Willard Mwanza produced a superb save to deny El Bilal Touré and keep Zambia level at the break.
The West Africans eventually made their pressure count shortly after the hour mark. From a corner in the 61st minute, Sinayoko reacted quickest in the box to fire Mali into a deserved lead from close range.
Zambia responded positively, pushing men forward and introducing fresh legs from the bench as they chased an equaliser. Patson Daka led the charge, testing the Mali defence with his movement and aerial presence.
The breakthrough finally arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 90+2nd minute, Daka rose highest to head home a precise cross from Mathews Banda, sparking celebrations among the Zambian supporters.
Mali tried to regain control in the closing moments, but Zambia held firm to secure a valuable point. In the end, a 1–1 draw felt a fair outcome in a tightly contested match that keeps Group A finely balanced heading into the next round of fixtures.
AFCON 2025 Update: Mali and Zambia Fight for Vital Group A Points
Zamia take on Mali in what promises to be a compelling Group A clash, with both sides knowing that every point could prove decisive. With hosts Morocco widely tipped to dominate the group, this encounter could play a crucial role in shaping the race for the knockout stages.
⏱️ LIVE UPDATE ENDS | Zambia vs Mali
AFCON 2025 – Group A | FULL-TIME
Mali 1–1 Zambia
90+6’
Second half ends. Full-time: Mali 1, Zambia 1.
90+5’
Foul by Lassine Sinayoko (Mali).
Lubambo Musonda (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90+2’
GOAL – Zambia
Patson Daka (Zambia) scores with a header from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner. Assisted by Mathews Banda with a cross.
Score: Mali 1, Zambia 1.
90+1’
Attempt missed. Benson Sakala (Zambia) header from the right side of the six-yard box goes just over the bar. Assisted by Kings Kangwa following a corner.
90+1’
Attempt blocked. Owen Tembo (Zambia) right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Joseph Sabobo.
90+1’
Fourth official announces 4 minutes of added time.
90’
Corner to Zambia. Conceded by Mamadou Sangaré (Mali).
89’
Attempt missed. Patson Daka (Zambia) header from the centre of the box goes over. Assisted by David Simukonda following a set-piece situation.
88’
Foul by Amadou Dante (Mali).
David Simukonda (Zambia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
86’
Substitution, Mali. Amadou Haidara replaces Kamory Doumbia.
84’
Attempt missed. Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) right-footed shot from the left side of the box narrowly misses to the right. Assisted by Gaoussou Diarra.
83’
Amadou Dante (Mali) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Kennedy Musonda (Zambia).
81’
Amadou Dante (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
81’
Amadou Dante (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Joseph Sabobo (Zambia).
80’
Attempt blocked. Patson Daka (Zambia) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Mathews Banda.
78’
Substitution, Zambia. Kennedy Musonda replaces Fashion Sakala.
76’
Substitution, Mali. Mahamadou Doumbia replaces Dorgeles Nene.
76’
Substitution, Mali. Gaoussou Diarra replaces El Bilal Touré.
73’
Attempt saved. Dominic Chanda (Zambia) right-footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner by Djigui Diarra (Mali).
72’
Corner, Zambia. Conceded by Woyo Coulibaly.
72’
Attempt missed. Dominic Chanda (Zambia) header from the centre of the box misses to the left.
71’
Foul by Mamadou Fofana (Mali).
Patson Daka (Zambia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
71’
Foul by Aliou Dieng (Mali).
Willard Mwanza (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
70’
Corner, Mali. Conceded by Lubambo Musonda.
70’
Attempt saved. Dorgeles Nene (Mali) right-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved low to the right by Willard Mwanza (Zambia). Assisted by Lassine Sinayoko.
69’
Yellow card shown to David Simukonda (Zambia) for a bad foul.
69’
Foul by David Simukonda (Zambia).
Mamadou Sangaré (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67’
Substitution, Zambia. David Simukonda replaces Miguel Chaiwa.
67’
Substitution, Zambia. Joseph Sabobo replaces Lameck Banda due to injury.
66’
Offside, Zambia. Fashion Sakala is caught offside.
65’
Yellow card shown to Aliou Dieng (Mali).
Aliou Dieng (Mali) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
65’
Foul by Aliou Dieng (Mali).
Kings Kangwa (Zambia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
64’
Kamory Doumbia (Mali) right-footed shot from outside the box narrowly misses to the left. Assisted by El Bilal Touré with a headed pass.
61’
GOAL – Mali 1, Zambia 0
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) scores from very close range with a right-footed finish high into the centre of the goal following a corner.
61’
Attempt blocked. Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) right-footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by El Bilal Touré.
61’
Corner to Mali, conceded by Mathews Banda (Zambia).
57’
Corner to Zambia, conceded by Abdoulaye Diaby (Mali).
56’
Foul by Mamadou Sangaré (Mali).
Owen Tembo (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
56’
Kamory Doumbia (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia).
55’
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Lubambo Musonda (Zambia).
54’
El Bilal Touré (Mali) heads over from the centre of the box.
51’
Offside, Zambia. Patson Daka is caught offside following a pass from Owen Tembo.
51’
Foul by El Bilal Touré (Mali).
Lubambo Musonda (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
50’
Kamory Doumbia (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Owen Tembo (Zambia).
50’
Delay over. Play resumes.
50’
Delay in match due to injury to Lubambo Musonda (Zambia).
46’
Aliou Dieng (Mali) right-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Willard Mwanza (Zambia), assisted by Lassine Sinayoko.
46’
Second half begins. Mali 0, Zambia 0.
First Half
45+1’
Fourth official announces 3 minutes of added time.
45’
Foul by Abdoulaye Diaby (Mali).
Dominic Chanda (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45’
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Kings Kangwa (Zambia).
44’
Delay over. Play resumes.
43’
Delay in match due to injury to Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia).
42’
Corner to Mali, conceded by Dominic Chanda.
Kamory Doumbia (Mali) has a right-footed effort from close range blocked.
42’
Penalty saved.
El Bilal Touré (Mali) sees his right-footed penalty saved low to the right by Willard Mwanza (Zambia).
39’
VAR decision: Penalty to Mali.
39’
Delay over. Play resumes.
38’
Delay in match due to injury to Mathews Banda (Zambia).
37’
Penalty to Mali. Dorgeles Nene is fouled in the box.
Penalty conceded by Mathews Banda (Zambia).
35’
Foul by Woyo Coulibaly (Mali).
Fashion Sakala (Zambia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
34’
Mamadou Sangaré (Mali) shoots from outside the box, assisted by Lassine Sinayoko. Shot misses to the left.
27’
Corner to Zambia, conceded by Abdoulaye Diaby.
26’
Foul by Kamory Doumbia (Mali).
Dominic Chanda (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
23’
Delay over. Play resumes.
22’
Delay in match due to injury to Lameck Banda (Zambia).
20’
Mamadou Sangaré (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia).
19’
Woyo Coulibaly (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Fashion Sakala (Zambia).
19’
Dorgeles Nene (Mali) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Mathews Banda (Zambia).
18’
Foul by Aliou Dieng (Mali).
Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18’
Handball by Lassine Sinayoko (Mali).
Mamadou Sangaré (Mali) has a long-range effort blocked.
16’
Corner to Mali, conceded by Dominic Chanda.
15’
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved low by Willard Mwanza (Zambia), assisted by Kamory Doumbia.
13’
Lassine Sinayoko (Mali) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Kings Kangwa (Zambia).
11’
Woyo Coulibaly (Mali) right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked, assisted by Mamadou Sangaré.
9’
Corner to Zambia, conceded by Mamadou Fofana.
8’
Corner to Mali, conceded by Willard Mwanza.
7’
Corner to Mali, conceded by Benson Sakala.
5’
Dorgeles Nene (Mali) shoots from the centre of the box, assisted by Mamadou Sangaré. Shot narrowly misses to the right.
1’
Miguel Chaiwa (Zambia) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Aliou Dieng (Mali).
1’
First half begins.
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Match: Mali vs Zambia
Tournament: TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025
Stage: Group A – Matchday 1
Date: Monday, 22 December 2025
Kick-off: 16:00 CAT
Venue: Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca, Morocco
AFCON 2025 – Group A | LINE-UPS
Mali vs Zambia
Formations: Mali 4-2-3-1 | Zambia 4-2-3-1
Mali (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper:
16 Djigui Diarra
Defenders:
26 Woyo Coulibaly
5 Abdoulaye Diaby
15 Mamadou Fofana
3 Amadou Dante
Defensive Midfielders:
20 Mamadou Sangaré
23 Aliou Dieng
Attacking Midfielders:
17 Lassine Sinayoko
19 Kamory Doumbia (off 86’)
7 Dorgeles Nene (off 76’)
Striker:
9 El Bilal Touré (off 76’)
Substitutes used:
8 Mahamadou Doumbia (on 76’)
21 Gaoussou Diarra (on 76’)
4 Amadou Haidara (on 86’)
Unused substitutes:
Ismael Diawara, Mamadou Samassa, Hamari Traoré, Nathan Gassama, Ousmane Camara, Fodé Doucouré, Ibrahima Sissoko, Lassana Coulibaly, Mohamed Camara, Gaoussou Diakite, Mamadou Camara, Mamadou Doumbia
Zambia (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper:
1 Willard Mwanza
Defenders:
2 Mathews Banda
6 Benson Sakala
21 Dominic Chanda
8 Lubambo Musonda
Defensive Midfielders:
25 Owen Tembo
5 Miguel Chaiwa (off 67’)
Attacking Midfielders:
17 Kings Kangwa
10 Fashion Sakala (off 79’)
9 Lameck Banda (off 67’)
Striker:
20 Patson Daka
Substitutes used:
28 David Simukonda (on 67’)
11 Joseph Sabobo (on 67’)
19 Kennedy Musonda (on 79’)
Unused substitutes:
Francis Mwansa, Lawrence Mulenga, David Hamansenya, Frankie Musonda, Kabaso Chongo, Obino Chisala, Given Kalusa, Joseph Liteta, Wilson Chisala, Eliya Mandanji, Jack Lahne
Coaches:
Mali: Tom Saintfiet
Zambia: Moses Sichone
Status: Live Score Updates to Follow