De Marcelino 83   Kalaba 28

                                                                                                         Chamanga 62

Zambia qualified for the African Nations Cup quarter-finals with a thoroughly deserved victory over Gabon, who led Group D going into the final round of matches, but went out on goals scored.

The Chipolopolo went missed numerous chances before Rainford Kalaba broke the deadlock on 28 minutes with a neat right-foot finish.

They doubled their advantage through James Chamanga’s 62^nd minute tap-in from Jacob Mulenga’s cross.

Gabon sub Fabrice Do Marcilino’s deflected left-foot shot on 83 minutes gave Gabon late hope. But it was not to be.

The “head-to-heads” between the top three sides decided who would win Group D and who would come second, with the runners-up drawing the very short straw of a quarter-final against in-form defending champions Egypt

In that “mini-league” all three teams were level on goal difference, but Zambia scored four times in their games against the other two sides, Cameroon scored three, and Gabon scored only two. So although Cameroon and Zambia had identical records, and Cameroon beat Zambia in their group match 3-2, Zambia head the group.