The Chipolopolo boys came from behind to steal a point against Mali in their opening group A match of the 2025 AFCON on Monday.

Patson Daka came to Zambia’s rescue in the 94th minute with a decisive header to cancel out Lassine Sinayoko’s 64th-minute opener at the Mohamed V Stadium.

BolaNews presents the Chipolopolo Boys’ player ratings in their 1-1 stalemate with the Eagles in Casablanca.

GOALKEEPER

Willard Mwanza (8/10): Denied Mali a lead from the penalty spot in the 41st minute. Only one of the four attacking opposition players completed more dribbles than Mwanza.

DEFENDERS

Matthews Banda (7/10): Was guilty of the penalty but put in a good shift as an auxiliary center half in the first proceeding before assisting Patson Daka’s equalizer.

Benson Sakala (8/10): Mali were close to regaining their lead at the death, but Sakala was having none of it, executing a world-class tackle to keep them out.

Dominic Chanda (8/10): The Power Dynamos man gave his all on the night, producing important defensive interventions.

Lubambo Musonda (7/10): The onus was on the ex-Chipolopolo captain to create the chances, and he did put in some good crosses.

MIDFIELDERS

Miguel Chaiwa (6/10): Not his best performance in a Chipolopolo midfield.

Kings Kangwa (6/10): He was not very decisive with his passing in the closing stages of the encounter.

Patson Daka Delivers.

Owen Tembo (7/10): He was quite proactive in the middle of the park against the Eagles, particularly in the first half.

Lameck Banda (5/10): Unfortunately, we couldn’t get to see Banda’s full potential at the AFCON again, as he suffered a knock against Mali.

Fashion Sakala (6/10): His flair and creativity were on show again, but not enough end product.

Patson Daka (7/10): Daka silenced his critics to score an equalizer in the dying embers of the game.

SUBSTITUTES

David Simukonda (6/10): The youngster engineered a good pass to Patson Daka, who couldn’t convert.

Joseph Sabobo Banda (5/10): He couldn’t showcase his flair and decisiveness against the Eagles.

Kennedy Musonda (4/10): The striker was the extra man up front, relieving some pressure on Patson Daka.

Kabaso Chongo (N/A): He was brought on to kill some time.

COACH:

Moses Sichone (6/10): The decision to start an inexperienced Willard Mwanza and a misfiring Patson Daka paid off. He will, however, hope that his team can be more proactive in attack against the Comoros Islands.