- Daka strike for Zambia denies Mali victory
Embattled Liverpool’s reject, Mohamed Salah’s stoppage-time strike rescued the Pharaohs of Egypt from the brink of frustration as they fought back to secure a 2-1 victory over Zimbabwe in Group B of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
With a damaging opening-day setback staring them in the face despite dominating possession, the seven-time champions seem out of ideas until Salah delivered when it mattered most.
Egypt’s dominance notwithstanding, it was Zimbabwe who struck first in the 20th minute as Jordan Jalai surged down the flank before picking out Prince Dube, who spun inside the penalty area and placed a precise finish beyond Keeper Mohamed El Shenawy.
However, the Egyptians’ response after the break was immediate as they raised the tempo, pushing their full-backs higher and stretching Zimbabwe’s defensive shape.
Marmoush, increasingly influential, finally delivered the equaliser in the 63rd minute, racing down the wing and finishing emphatically to restore parity.
Relief for the Pharaohs finally came in stoppage time as Salah, after controlling a high ball inside the area, easily slipped past his marker and finished decisively to spark celebrations among the Egyptian players and fans.
It’s South Africa 2-1 Angola
On their part, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana opened their AFCON campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Palancas Negras of Angola in an entertaining Group B match at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Monday evening.
Bafana Bafana started brightly and were quickly rewarded in the 17th minute when Oswin Appollis struck to give Hugo Broos’ side an early advantage.
The winger reacted quickest to a loose clearance inside the penalty area, feinted twice to wrong-foot the defence, and then guided a low, angled finish beyond Hugo Marques.
Despite the early lead, the South Africans gradually lost control of affairs as Angola grew in confidence and began dominating possession, while posing a consistent threat from set-pieces.
Gelson Dala went close with a header before the Palancas Negras were rewarded in the 34th minute. Fredy’s inswinging free-kick at the near post was cleverly flicked on by Show, whose touch beat Ronwen Williams to level the scores.
The second half saw a clear shift in momentum. Broos made a decisive change by introducing Moremi, and South Africa responded with renewed intensity. The pressure began to tell as Mbokazi rattled the crossbar, while Lyle Foster saw a goal ruled out for offside as Angola struggled to contain the sustained attacks.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 79th minute. Pressing high up the pitch, South Africa won possession before Nkota slipped a pass into Foster’s path. The striker made no mistake, curling a superb right-footed effort into the top corner to restore Bafana Bafana’s lead.
The victory confirms South Africa’s upward trajectory and gives them an important platform as they look to build momentum in a competitive group.
Zambia Hold Mali 1–1
Patson Daka’s dramatic stoppage-time header denied Eagles of Mali victory as Chipolopolo of Zambia snatched a 1–1 draw in a tense Group A tie on Monday.
Mali looked set to claim all three points after dominating long spells of the contest, but a late lapse in concentration allowed Zambia’s talisman to strike and earn them a valuable point.
Mali started brightly and imposed themselves from the opening exchanges, controlling possession and pushing Zambia deep inside their own half. Mamadou Sangaré and Lassine Sinayoko were at the heart of Mali’s attacking play, while El Bilal Touré tested the Zambian back line with his movement.
Despite Mali’s dominance, clear chances were limited, with Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza producing a series of important interventions to keep his side in the contest. His most significant moment came when he saved a penalty from Touré, preserving parity at a crucial stage of the match.
Finally, the breakthrough came just after the hour mark as a loose ball fell to Sinayoko, who reacted quickest and smashed a powerful effort beneath the crossbar to give the West Africans a deserved lead.
Zambia responded by increasing the tempo and committing more bodies forward. Fashion Sakala led the counter-attacks with pace and direct running, but Mali’s defence, marshalled effectively by Diaby, held firm.
With twenty minutes remaining, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet sought to protect the advantage by introducing fresh defensive legs, replacing Dorgeles Nene and Touré with Doumbia and Diarra. Sinayoko nearly sealed the contest moments later, his curling effort shaving the top corner.
However, refusing to bulge, Zambia took the fight into stoppage time, and a lapse in marking proved costly as Daka rose highest in the box to power home a header, silencing the Casablanca crowd and rescuing a dramatic draw for the Chipolopolo
