Zambias Patson Daka scored with a spectacular diving header in stoppage time to see his side come from behind and force a 1-1 draw withMaliin their opening Group A clash at theAfrica Cup of Nationsfinals on Monday.

Mali looked in control for most of the encounter but paid the price for sitting back in the closing stages asZambiastaged a late recovery, with Daka leaping through the air to force home Mathews Bandas curling cross two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game.

Lassine Sinayoko had taken advantage of sloppy defending to give Mali a 62nd-minute lead after his strike partner El Bilal Tour had a first-half penalty saved.

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The penalty had been awarded after a VAR check as defender Banda caught the heel of Dorgeles Nene as he attempted to clear the ball away from Malis dangerous winger. But Tours 42nd-minute spot kick was well saved by Zambias goalkeeper Willard Mwanza.

Nene caused Zambiasdefenceno end of turmoil with his jinxing runs down the left flank, while Sinayoko and El Tour also proved a difficult frontline duo to deal with and Mali looked as if they would cruise to an easy three-point haul.

Sinayoko might have had the first goal of the game after 15 minutes when he stole possession away from Zambias defence, but his shot was saved.

Penalty save hero Mwanza stood no chance with the Mali goal as first El Tour had an effort from a corner blocked before Sinayoko picked up the rebound and tried a shot which was again blocked, only for the ball to fall onto his right foot and allow the Ligue 1 striker to blast it home from close range.

Zambia fight back

Conceding the goal galvanised Zambia into a fightback and they had several close chances before Dakas dramatic equaliser as Mali sat back and sought to absorb the pressure.

Captain Fashion Sakala had an effort at the back post blocked with some 15 minutes left, and Dominic Chandas spectacular overhead effort soon after was plucked out of the air by Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.

Mali next meet hostsMoroccoin Rabat on Friday while Zambia take on Comoros in Casablanca the same day. Morocco are at the head of the standings after the host nation opened the tournament on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in Rabat.

Later on Monday, Group B action gets underway with Angola and South Africa meeting in Marrakech followed by Egypt against Zimbabwe in Agadir.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)

Originally published on France24