Zambia’s Resilience Shines Amidst Tough AFCON Challenges

Mali was awarded a first-half penalty that could have shifted the momentum early in the match, but Willard Mwanza expertly denied El Bilal Toure’s attempt from the spot. This save invigorated the Zambian side, yet it was Mali that ultimately found the breakthrough in the 61st minute. Auxerre striker Toure redeemed himself for the missed penalty by scoring for Les Aigles.

Despite this setback, Zambia rallied, with former Rangers forward Fashion Sakala providing crucial width and pace. Their perseverance paid off when a beautifully placed cross found Patson Daka, who executed a diving header to equalize deep into stoppage time. This goal was a testament to Zambia’s relentless pressure throughout the match, which had seen the balance of play shift back and forth. As Daka’s teammates celebrated and fans erupted in the 67,000-seat Stade Mohammed V, he attempted to celebrate with an acrobatic cartwheel. Unfortunately, the execution went awry, leading to a concerning landing on his neck.

Daka’s miscalculated fall left him in distress as medical staff quickly attended to him. The scene was concerning, especially given the impact, but fortunately, the outcome was less severe than initially feared. With assistance from his teammates, Daka managed to complete the remaining minutes as Zambia secured a valuable opening point. Coach Moses Sichone has heavily relied on Daka, and rightfully so, as his international tally now stands at 21 goals in 44 appearances—a stark contrast to his club performance.

Since joining Leicester City in 2021, Daka came in as a highly sought-after player following the club’s FA Cup victory under Brendan Rodgers. However, he has struggled to find the net consistently, scoring only 10 goals in 76 Premier League matches. This struggle continued in the current Championship season, where he has scored only once in 20 games.

While Daka’s international success offers a glimmer of hope, Leicester’s domestic situation has been marred by a recent controversy off the pitch. The club issued an apology to staff following a late change to its December payroll schedule, which deviated from a long-standing tradition. For the first time in years, employees were notified that their salaries would not be disbursed until after Christmas, with a new payment date set for December 31. The internal communication, sent just before the holiday, left little room for personal financial adjustment, especially for those accustomed to earlier payments. The interim managing director, Kamonthip Netthanomsak, acknowledged the oversight and expressed regret in a personal message to the staff.

The statement read: “I recognize that the earlier payment has become a valued tradition for many colleagues, and I regret that I have been unable to relay this with greater notice to allow more time for your personal financial planning over the festive period. Please accept my personal apologies for any inconvenience this may cause you.”

Leicester City has emphasized that this decision was not a result of immediate financial distress.

Zambia faces a tough AFCON group that includes hosts and favorites Morocco. Before that challenging encounter, Zambia will look to gain momentum with a match against Comoros on Friday, hoping Daka will be fit and ready to contribute following his injury scare.