Zambia locks up first place in Group A

Zambia beat already-qualified Equatorial Guinea 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations on Sunday to snatch first place in Group A and join the co-host in the quarterfinals.

Christopher Katongo scored the winning goal in the 67th minute at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo as Equatorial Guinea's unexpected run of two opening victories came to an end as it was knocked off top spot.

The result meant unbeaten Zambia won the group, while Equatorial Guinea finished in second place and will face a likely meeting with cup favorite Ivory Coast in the last eight.

The scoreline also eliminated Libya despite its surprise 2-1 win against Senegal. Libya needed to win and Equatorial Guinea to beat Zambia to have any chance of progressing.

Zambia finished with seven points after two wins and a draw, a point ahead of Equatorial Guinea. Ivory Coast is expected to clinch first place in Group B when it plays Angola on Monday.

Libya ended its campaign with a stirring 2-1 win over Senegal, which crashed to a third straight 2-1 loss at the tournament and a humiliating end after being tipped as one of the contenders for the title. It had already been eliminated and was playing for pride.

Libya forward Ihaab Boussefi scored in the fifth and 84th minutes to give the North Africans their victory at Estadio de Bata, but it wasn't quite enough as Zambia held its nerve in Malabo.