Sport
Africa Cup of Nations 2012 Update: Zambia advances to quarterfinals
Zambia snatched top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup of Nations on Sunday to join the co-host in the quarterfinals and end Libya’s faint hopes of progressing.
Christopher Katongo scored in the 67th minute against already-qualified Equatorial Guinea, with the co-host having to settle for second and a likely meeting with cup favorite Ivory Coast in the last eight.
“Our strategy was to go into the second round,” said Katongo, “Whoever we meet it’s not our problem. We have to concentrate on our own tactics and what the coach wants us to do.”
Libya exceeded expectations simply by qualifying for the tournament as civil war raged at home, and the surprise opening 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea proved crucial as the north Africans bowed out despite beating Senegal 2-1.
Senegal crashed to a third straight loss at the tournament and a humiliating end after being tipped as one of the contenders for the title.
“Maybe it’s a surprise for some people but we came to finish first,” said charismatic Zambia coach Herve Renard, who arrived at his post-match news conference wearing a Zambia scarf over his lucky white shirt despite the hot and humid weather. “Maybe it was a difficult target but the players respected everything perfectly today.”
Equatorial Guinea was playing its first match at the 15,000-plus Nuevo Estadio de Malabo, a smaller venue than the 37,500 Estadio de Bata where the team played its first two games.
