Champions Zambia Out Burkina To Last Eight

Zambia became the first Africa Cup of Nations’ defending champions to be knocked out in the first round for 21 years after a nerve-wracking 0-0 draw with Group C table toppers Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

The titleholders’ third straight stalemate left them emulating Algeria, who failed to reach the quarter finals as reigning champions in 1992.

Zambia missed out after Nigeria nabbed the runners-up spot in Group C courtesy of their 2-0 win over Ethiopia in the match being played simultaneously in Rustenburg.

That left the Nigerians level on five points with Burkina Faso, but in second on goal difference.

As surprise winners of the mini-league, the Burkinabe’s reward is a quarter-final clash with Group D runners-up, either Togo or Tunisia.

Collins Mbesuma joined Southampton’s Emmanuel Mayuka in the Zambia attack, the Orlando Pirates forward replacing captain Christopher Katongo with talismanic goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene taking over the skipper’s’ armband.

Coach Herve Renard made one more change, bringing in Hichani Himonde for veteran defender Joseph Musonda.

Burkina’s captain Moumouni Dagano was on the bench for the second time, with Benjamin Balima taking the Qatari-based striker’s place.