35th AFCON Records First Major Casualty During Mali–Zambia Opener

Posted : 24 December 2025

The 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was overshadowed by tragedy on Tuesday as the tournament recorded its first major casualty during the Group A opening match between Mali and Zambia.

The incident occurred in the first half of a pulsating encounter when a supporter of the Mali Eagles reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest in the stands shortly after 24-year-old El Bilal Touré of Beşiktaş missed a penalty in the 42nd minute. Medical personnel rushed the fan to the stadium’s medical centre, but reports later confirmed that the supporter had died.

Amid the somber atmosphere, Mali went ahead in the 61st minute through Lassine Sinayoko, raising hopes of a winning start for the West African side, who are ranked 53rd in the world. However, those hopes were dashed deep into stoppage time when Zambian striker Patson Daka powered home a header in the 90+2 minute from a Mathew Banda cross to level the score.

Daka’s dramatic equaliser nearly caused another scare, as the forward landed awkwardly on his neck during the celebration. He was promptly attended to by the Zambian medical team and was able to resume play, avoiding what could have been a serious injury.

At the time of reporting, AFCON organisers and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had not issued an official statement regarding the incidents, including the identity of the deceased Malian supporter.

The tragedy brings back memories of the previous AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, where a Nigerian businessman reportedly suffered a heart attack and was declared Brought In Dead (BID) at the stadium’s medical centre. Following that event, CAF advised fans with underlying medical conditions, particularly heart-related issues, to seek medical clearance before attending matches.

On the pitch, the 1–1 draw leaves both Mali and Zambia with a point each, placing them in the middle of Group A. Morocco currently tops the group after securing maximum points against Comoros, who sit at the bottom of the table.

The opening day of the tournament thus delivered both football drama and a painful reminder of the human cost that sometimes accompanies the beautiful game.

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35th AFCON Records First Major Casualty During Mali–Zambia Opener

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