Zambia kicked off their Group A campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mali in their Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday.
Lassine Sinayoko gave Mali the lead early on, but Zambia’s Chipolopolo struck back with a last-gasp goal to level the score.
Both teams entered the match knowing how crucial a win would be, but it was the West African side that managed to take the first initiative at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.
However, Zambia’s Patson Daka’s header was enough to secure a point for Zambia, leaving Morocco at the top of the group.
This encounter marked the first time the two sides faced each other since 2022, when El Bilal Toure scored the only goal to give Mali a 1-0 victory.
Zambia last lifted the trophy in 2012 after defeating the Ivory Coast on penalties, but they struggled in the last edition in 2023, failing to secure a single win.
They’ll need to build on this tie when they face Comoros on Boxing Day, whilst 1972 runners-up Mali battle it out with host Morocco later that evening.
