In the final moments of the match heading towards the final whistle, Zambian Patson Daka stole the spotlight by scoring a crucial equalizing goal against Mali yesterday evening, as part of the first round of Group A in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The striker of the Zambian national team scored a brilliant header in stoppage time, rising high to meet a precise cross from his teammate Matthews Banda, putting the ball in the net in the second minute of added time, saving his team known as "the Copper Bullets" from an early defeat and earning them a valuable point at the start of their journey in the continental tournament.
However, Daka's goal celebration was not complete, as the celebration moment nearly turned into a disaster on the pitch. After achieving the late equalizer, the Leicester City striker attempted a somersault celebration but failed and fell heavily to the ground, hitting his head and neck area.
The player lay on the pitch for a few seconds, which caused widespread concern among the fans and the technical and medical staff, fearing he had suffered a serious neck injury that could threaten his football career.
But fears quickly dissipated after Daka got up again and continued celebrating the goal, before finishing the remaining minutes of the match without any apparent health complications.
The scene of Daka's goal celebration topped social media platforms, where the player's attempt to perform the acrobatic move and his sudden fall on his neck drew attention and sparked widespread interaction among football fans.
The reactions on social media following the Zambian star's celebration, described as reckless and nearly ending in a serious injury, were mixed.
Some tweeters felt that Daka's attempt to perform a "backflip" after the goal was an uncalculated celebration, especially after his direct fall on the neck area.
Conversely, others noted that Daka lived an unforgettable moment after snatching the equalizing goal for his national team in the 92nd minute with a crucial header, despite the dominance of the Mali team and their lead with a goal in the 61st minute.
Activists added that the highlight of the match was not only the goal but also the bizarre celebration that followed, where Daka tried to perform a "salto" before stumbling and falling on his head, then rising smiling without any injury, in a scene combining astonishment and laughter.
Despite widespread praise for the beautiful goal Daka scored in the final moments, many followers warned of the dangers of such celebrations, considering them "potentially life-threatening," and urged players to avoid acrobatic moves that might cause serious head and neck injuries.
Bloggers described the celebration as "catastrophic and reckless," confirming that the strong fall on the neck could have had dire consequences, while one activist wrote: "A joy turned into a moment of horror.. Daka gets injured while celebrating the equalizing goal in the last minute, yet he continues to play."
Bloggers further noted that such acrobatic celebrations, despite their spontaneity and joy, could turn instantly into a real danger threatening the safety of players, especially when it concerns sensitive areas like the head and neck, emphasizing the need to educate players about the risks of such actions on the field, to avoid injuries that could end their sports careers in an uncalculated moment.
In concluding the interaction, followers unanimously agreed that Daka's goal will remain as one of the match's most prominent moments, yet his controversial celebration stole a significant part of the limelight, turning a joyous scene into a harsh lesson about the dangers of reckless celebrations, reminding that a single uncalculated moment could change a player's career in seconds.
