In the opening round of games of the group stage of the 2017 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Mali's Red-Bull-stacked squad and Egypt played to a 0-0 draw. Host Zambia beat Guinea, 1-0, thanks to a goal from another young African prospect on Papa Red Bull's radar, FC Liefering's Patson Daka.
Former New York Red Bulls II player Zoumana Simpara didn't get on the field for Mali against Egypt.
Local supporters packed the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka for Zambia's first game. Mali can expect to have the crowd against it for this game.