Egypt have clinched top spot in Group C following a 1-1 draw with Zambia, who are eliminated after Cameroon beat Sudan.
Zambia out as Egypt clinch top spot
Egypt have clinched top spot in Group C following a 1-1 draw with Zambia, who are eliminated after Cameroon beat Sudan.
Despite a lively start by Zambia it was Egypt who struck first through Amr Zaki with 15 minutes of the game played.
A fine run by Ahmed Fathi set up the chance with Zaki finishing off Sayed Moawad's cross with a superb left-footed volley.
Zambia looked for a swift riposte, but Jacob Mulenga's close-range effort was blocked after good work by Chris Katongo.
Chris Katongo then tried his luck with a left-footed strike, although Egypt keeper Essam El Hadari was happy to watch the ball go wide of his left-hand upright.
Fine save
Egypt nearly doubled their advantage before the interval with only a fine save by Kennedy Mweene denying Hosni Abd Rabou with a free header on the edge of the six-yard box.
Five-time African champions Egypt continued to press after half-time with Emad Moteab twice going close before Mweene tipped over Zaki's blistering long-range strike.
With a point enough for Egypt to secure top spot in Group C they rung the changes in the second half to give key players a rest, although Zambia did bag a late equaliser.
The lively Chris Katongo forced the ball home at the near post after getting the better of Fathi to set up a frantic finale, however, there was not enough time to snatch an unlikely win.
