Aballou: A site made by fans, for fans

AFCON 2025 Night of Drama: Daka's Late Equalizer and a Celebration That Almost Collapsed the Stadium

22 December 2025

AFCON 2025 Night of Drama: Daka's Late Equalizer and a Celebration That Almost Collapsed the Stadium
Patson Daka's dramatic celebration ends in a scary tumble as Zambia salvage a draw.

Key moment

Patson Daka, Zambia's forward, collapsed in a spectacular spill while celebrating the late, decisive goal he struck for his nation against Mali in the opening match of AFCON 2025's Group A.

Mali appeared on course to grab all three points before Daka headed home an equalizer at 90+2 to salvage a draw for Zambia.

He celebrated with his usual flair, effectively performing a tumble that left teammates and fans in a brief state of panic as they checked he was still upright.

Morocco rose as the big beneficiary of the draw, sitting top on three points after beating the Comoros 2-0 in the opening game.

Next, Morocco face Mali while Zambia meet the Comoros in the second round.

Punchline 1: Gravity is undefeated, but Daka keeps challenging it with every celebration.

Punchline 2: If celebrations need medical insurance, Daka just renewed his coverage for post-goal tumbles.

Author

Avatar

Emma Amme

I am Emma Amme, an English sports journalist born in 1998. Passionate about astronomy, contemporary dance, and handcrafted woodworking, I share my sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Patson Daka during the celebration?

He collapsed dramatically after scoring a late equalizer against Mali in AFCON 2025.

What was the result of the Zambia vs Mali match?

The match ended in a draw thanks to Daka's 90+2 equalizer.

Which team leads Group A after the opener?

Morocco tops Group A with three points after their opening win.

What are the next fixtures in Group A?

Morocco vs Mali and Zambia vs Comoros in the second round.