Leicester City striker Patson Daka delivered a moment of pure drama in Zambia’s opening match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scoring a stunning stoppage-time diving header to snatch a 1-1 draw against Mali—only for his exuberant backflip celebration to turn terrifying as he landed awkwardly on his neck.

The 27-year-old forward rose magnificently in the 92nd minute at Casablanca’s Stade Mohammed V, meeting Mathews Banda’s curling cross with a powerful header past Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra. The goal canceled out Lassine Sinayoko’s 62nd-minute opener, earning Zambia a vital point in Group A and denying Mali victory after they had dominated much of the contest.

Euphoria erupted among the Chipolopolo players and fans, but it quickly turned to concern. Caught in the adrenaline rush, Daka attempted an acrobatic somersault-backflip toward the corner flag. The move went badly awry—he lost balance mid-air and crashed down heavily on his neck and upper back, lying motionless for several anxious moments as teammates rushed to his aid.

Medical staff attended immediately, and the stadium held its breath. Fortunately, Daka soon rose to his feet, showing no visible signs of severe injury, and continued playing until the final whistle. Reports confirm he avoided serious harm, a massive relief for Zambia and his club Leicester City, who rely on his sharpness in the Championship promotion push.

The incident highlights the risks of high-energy celebrations, echoing past cases where players suffered grave injuries from similar flips. Daka’s escape underscores luck’s role in such split-second mishaps, especially on the adrenaline high following a clutch goal.

This was Zambia’s first goal altering a result in the 90th minute or later at AFCON, per statistics. The 2012 champions remain unbeaten in opening matches since their title win but have drawn many. Mali, meanwhile, extended their strong start record but dropped points.

Daka, with 22 international goals in 54 caps, has been a consistent performer for Zambia despite limited minutes at Leicester. His heroic header showcased his aerial prowess and timing, traits that made him a £23 million signing from RB Salzburg in 2021.

The draw sets up intriguing next fixtures: Zambia face Comoros, while Mali take on hosts Morocco. As AFCON 2025 unfolds in Morocco, Daka’s scare serves as a reminder of football’s fine line between triumph and tragedy—yet his resilience ensures the focus returns to his match-saving brilliance.