Africa cup of nations 2012 Update: Zambia through to the semis

Zambia became the first team to reach the African Cup of Nations semifinals after a 3-0 win over a Sudan team reduced to 10 players.

Zambia will next play on Wednesday, facing the winner of Sunday’s Ghana-Tunisia game in Bata. In the day’s other quarterfinal, Ivory Coast plays Equatorial Guinea.

Stophira Sunzu opened the scoring with a header off a free kick in the 15th minute. Christopher Katongo made it 2-0 in the 66th when he scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved. Substitute James Chamanga sealed it in the 86th with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Sudan defender Saifeldin Ali Idris was sent off in the 65th for a foul on Rainford Kalaba that led to Katongo’s penalty kick.

There were few fans at 37,000-set stadium. Before the game, both teams observed a minute’s silence for victims of the stadium riot in Egypt. Some Sudanese players held their hands in front of them in prayer.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.