In the storied history of the Africa Cup of Nations, few nations embody the tournament’s heart and drama quite like Zambia. The Chipolopolo, or Copper Bullets, carry the legacy of their 2012 championship, a triumph forged in collective spirit and etched into continental legend.
Yet, their journey into the 2025 edition in Morocco was shadowed by recent struggle and off-field uncertainty. Following a disappointing 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign that led to the departure of manager Avram Grant in October, the team entered the tournament under interim leadership and a cloud of administrative controversy.
Their opening Group A fixture against Mali on December 22nd in Casablanca was not just a football match; it was a test of resilience against one of West Africa’s most consistent forces, a nation perennially knocking on the door of its first AFCON title since finishing as runners-up in 1972.
From the opening whistle at Stade Mohammed V, the tactical narratives of both sides unfolded clearly. Mali, under the experienced guidance of coach Tom Saintfiet, sought to impose their physical dominance and technical control.
Their midfield, orchestrated by the likes of Kamory Doumbia and Amadou Haidara, dictated the tempo, patiently probing a Zambian setup that appeared cautious, perhaps even overwhelmed in the early exchanges. Zambia, with Moses Sichone technically on the bench as an “assistant coach” due to a confounding row with the Confederation of African Football over the validity of his coaching badges, seemed to prioritize defensive structure, hoping to absorb pressure and strike on the counter through the pace of their attackers.
The first half became a story of Malian pressure meeting Zambian resistance, a balance that was nearly shattered just before the interval. In a moment of high drama, the lively Nene Dorgeles was brought down in the penalty area by Zambia’s Matthews Banda.
The responsibility fell to El Bilal Touré, but his low effort was met with a superb, full-stretch save by Zambian goalkeeper Willard Mwanza, a moment of individual brilliance that kept the scores level and offered the Chipolopolo a lifeline they desperately needed.
That reprieve seemed only temporary. As the second half progressed, Mali’s relentless pressure continued to mount. The breakthrough, when it came in the 61st minute, felt almost inevitable. Following a period of sustained attack, the ball fell to Lassine Sinayoko inside the Zambian box.
Showing commendable composure, the striker controlled and finished with his right foot, finally beating Mwanza and sending the Malian supporters into raptures. For a team that had created the clearer chances, including another near-miss from Sinayoko that fizzed just past the post, the lead was just reward.
At this juncture, with Mali dominating possession and rhythm, the match threatened to slip entirely away from Zambia. The historical context loomed large: Mali, a nation with a rich footballing pedigree and multiple semi-final appearances, seeking a statement victory; Zambia, the historic champions, grappling with a period of acknowledged underperformance where even their own government had lamented the senior team’s results in the build-up to the tournament.
What followed, however, was a stirring testament to the unpredictable soul of tournament football. Facing defeat, Zambia began to play with the unshackled urgency of a team with nothing left to lose. The tactical caution evaporated, replaced by a direct, heartfelt assault.
The introduction of fresh legs injected vigor, and the Chipolopolo began to send hopeful, searching balls into the Malian area, playing on pure spirit. As the clock ticked into second-half stoppage time, a final opportunity presented itself.
From a lofted cross into the penalty area, a familiar figure rose above the fray. It was Patson Daka, the Leicester City forward and Zambia’s most potent attacking threat. With a powerful and precise header, he directed the ball past the Malian keeper, sparking absolute bedlam among the Zambian players and fans.
The goal, arriving in the 92nd minute, was not just an equalizer; it was an emotional release, a salvage operation of the highest order that snatched a point from the jaws of defeat.
The final whistle blew moments later, confirming a 1-1 draw that left the two teams with mirroring records in Group A: one point apiece, trailing the host nation Morocco who had won their opener. Yet, the emotional residue of the match could not have been more different for the two camps.
For Mali, there was a palpable sense of opportunity lost. They had controlled vast stretches of the game, generated superior chances (outshooting Zambia 15 to 7), and failed to convert a penalty that would have given them a commanding lead.
Coach Tom Saintfiet, at his third AFCON with a third different nation, was left to ponder how to translate clear dominance into the clinical finishing required to overcome the continent’s best, a lesson he must instill before a daunting next match against the host nation, Morocco, in Rabat.
For Zambia, the point felt like a victory born of character. In the face of technical and tactical adversity, they had unearthed a resolve that speaks to the core of their footballing identity.
The goal-scorer, Patson Daka, embodied this spirit, offering a timely reminder of his quality on the continental stage. More importantly, the dramatic comeback could serve as a crucial catalyst for a team and a nation in need of a unifying spark.