A tragic incident cast a dark shadow over Mali’s opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday afternoon, as a Malian supporter reportedly died after suffering a heart attack at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca.
According to reports, the unfortunate incident occurred moments after El Bilal Toure missed a penalty during Mali’s Group A clash with Zambia, an emotionally charged moment that left many fans in distress inside the stadium.
While official confirmation is still awaited, the news has sent shockwaves through the football community, dampening what was an otherwise dramatic AFCON encounter.
On the pitch, Mali and Zambia played out a 1-1 draw in a game filled with tension and late drama.
Mali dominated large spells and were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the first half, but Touré’s spot kick was saved, keeping the scores level at the interval.
The Eagles eventually found a breakthrough in the second half when Lassine Sinayoko struck in the 61st minute, finishing from close range to give Mali a deserved advantage.
Just as Mali looked set to begin their AFCON 2025 campaign with all three points, Zambia responded in dramatic fashion.
Deep into stoppage time, Patson Daka rose above the Malian defence to head home a late equaliser, breaking Malian hearts and rescuing a vital point for the Chipolopolo.
While the result leaves both teams with work to do in Group A, the focus remained firmly on the tragic loss of life in the stands – a sobering reminder that football, despite its passion and drama, is always secondary to human life.
