Zambia and Ivory Coast cruise into semis

Zambia and Ivory Coast are through to the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations after both teams completed comfortable 3-0 victories against Sudan and Equatorial Guinea respectively on Saturday.

A first-half header from Stoppila Sunzu followed by goals in the second half by Christopher Katongo and James Chamanga saw the Copper Bullets beat 10-man Sudan with ease in Bata.

The two-time runners up will now face either Ghana or Tunisia for a place in the final.

Sudan’s cause wasn’t helped by Saif Eldin who was shown a second yellow card for a challenge on Rainford Kabala inside the penalty area in the 65th minute.

And although Katongo’s initial shot from the spot kick was saved he bundled in the rebound to double Zambia’s lead and all but kill off the contest.

“We went to sleep a little bit in the second half, then as so often Rainford Kalaba gave us some light, we won a penalty and they were down to 10 men, which made the job easier,” Zambia’s coach Herve Renard said, AFP reported.

“All was not perfect today, but you have to be efficient, and in football that’s the most important thing,” he added, AFP reported.

Both teams wore black armbands in remembrance of 74 Egyptians who died after a league match in Port Said last Wednesday while also observing a minute’s silence before the match.

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Didier Drogba scored twice and missed a penalty in Ivory Coast’s win over the co-hosts in Malabo.

The veteran Chelsea striker failed to convert a spot kick in the 29th minute before making amends when he pounced on a misplaced pass from defender Rui Da Gracia before firing past keeper Danilo.

Drogba doubled the Elephants lead in the 69th minute heading home from a Yaya Toure cross before the Manchester City midfielder converted a free-kick nine minutes from the end.

Ivory Coast will play the winners of the match between Gabon and Mali which takes place in Libreville on Sunday.