Mali stall progress of AFCON hosts Morocco after Sinayoko's leveller in Rabat

Host nation hit the front thanks to Brahim Diaz's spot-kick deep into added-on time in the first half but were forced to settle for just a point

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025 - 23:28

Staff

Lassine Sinayoko's second-half penalty rescued a 1-1 draw for Mali to stop Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco from booking their spot in the last-16 in Rabat.

Morocco's 2-0 win over Comoros on Sunday in their tournament opener left them well-placed in Group A and they hit the front thanks to Brahim Diaz's spot-kick deep into added-on time in the first half.

Diaz earned the penalty with a fine bit of individual work before Nathan Gassama handled in the area before converting from 12 yards but Mali got their own spot-kick awarded following a VAR check after 64 minutes when Sinayoko was upended.

Sinayoko made no mistake as the points were shared. Morocco sit top of Group A on four points, with Mali and Zambia both on two ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Earlier Zambia's hopes of making the knockout stages suffered a setback after being held to a goalless draw by Comoros in Casablanca.

Comoros thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Myziane Maolida after he was played in by Rafiki Said, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up.

As the second half went on, Zambia - who scored a stoppage-time equaliser to draw 1-1 against Mali - struggled to break down the Indian Ocean islanders, with captain Fashion Sakala sending an angled shot into the side-netting.

Comoros went close to snatching a late winner with 10 minutes left when Youssouf M'Changama floated in a deep cross from the left which Zambia goalkeeper Willard Mwanza failed to collect, but Faiz Selamani sent his close-range header over.