Celebration Chaos: Leicester’s Patson Daka Survives Scary Neck Injury After AFCON Goal

In a moment that turned elation into immediate concern, Leicester City striker Patson Daka narrowly avoided a catastrophic injury after a botched goal celebration at the Africa Cup of Nations. The 27-year-old Zambian international had just scored a stunning stoppage-time equalizer with a dramatic diving header to secure a 1-1 draw for his nation against Mali, snatching a vital point in their Group B clash.

However, the dangerous celebration gone wrong that followed instantly became the focal point, as Daka’s attempted cartwheel ended with him landing awkwardly and directly on his neck and upper back, sending a shockwave through the Stade Mohammed V and to Foxes fans watching worldwide. The terrifying incident occurred after Daka expertly finished in the dying moments, canceling out Lassine Sinayoko’s earlier goal for Mali. Overcome with emotion, the striker sprinted toward the corner flag and launched into an athletic but ill-fated celebration.

His supporting arm buckled during the cartwheel, causing him to plummet onto his cervical spine. The stadium fell silent as medical staff rushed to his aid, with the severity of the potential sports injury unclear. Thankfully, after a tense assessment on the pitch, Daka was able to walk away, appearing to have dodged a serious spinal injury that could have had long-term career implications. The clip of the botched acrobatic celebration spread rapidly across social media platforms, sparking a wave of relief and admonishment from the global football community.

The immediate sigh of relief was shared by Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes and the club’s medical staff, for whom a serious injury to a key player during an international tournament is a perennial nightmare. As the Foxes push for promotion in a heated Championship season, Daka’s fitness is crucial. This incident highlights the ever-present club-versus-country debate and raises questions about whether more guidance is needed for players on avoiding unnecessary injury risk during on-field celebrations.