Mali will feel the most disappointed after creating the better opportunities, with Dorgeles side-footing narrowly wide before the penalty was awarded and Sinayoko going close to making it 2-0 when he fired inches past the right-hand post.
For Eagles coach Tom Saintfiet, who is at his third Afcon after leading The Gambia at the 2021 and 2023 editions, the immediate task will be how to make his team more clinical before their match against the host nation.
Yet Zambia will be encouraged by the result following the departure of former Chelsea manager Avram Grant in October after their woeful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
His replacement Moses Sichone missed both their friendlies last month through illness, and is now embroiled in a row over his coaching badges.
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has told Zambia that Sichone’s Uefa A License is not good enough for the 48-year-old to be officially listed as a head coach at the finals.
The continent’s governing body insists he must have a Caf A or Uefa Pro Licence to be officially named in that position.
However, since he had a contract with Zambia’s FA as an assistant to Grant before the new rule kicked in he has been allowed to sit on the bench under the title of assistant coach.
