BENGUELA, Angola - Zambia reached the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations with a 2-1 win over Gabon on Thursday.
Zambia secured its first win in the tournament with goals from Rainford Kalaba and James Chamanga and finished Group D with four points. Substitute Fabrice Do Marcolino pulled one back for Gabon.
Cameroon, which drew 2-2 with Tunisia in the other group game to advance as well, and Gabon also have four points.
Knowing that only a win would send them into the knockout stage, Zambia's players quickly put the Gabonese defense under pressure.
Felix Katongo created Zambia's first chance with a 30-meter free kick that was poorly cleared by Gabon's defenders in the 10th minute, allowing Katongo to latch on to the rebound but goalkeeper Didier Ovono saved the shot.
FC Utrecht striker Jacob Mulenga came close for Zambia a minute later after being set up by Chamanga, but dragged his shot wide from a tight angle.
Following a team move, Mulenga passed to Christopher Katongo but the Zambia playmaker fired his shot wide in the 20th. Not long after, Kalaba missed with a free kick from the edge of the area.
Zambia broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Katongo set up Kalaba, who coolly slotted home.
Struggling to recover its composure, Gabon responded in the 36th minute when Eric Mouloungui forced goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene into making a good save with a shot from the left.
Zambia should have scored just before halftime, when Christopher Katongo rose above the defense but his header from his brother Felix Katongo's free kick went just wide.
Zambia kept pressing after the interval, with Chamanga missing the target from the edge of the area before slotting home in the 64th minute from Mulenga's perfect pass.
Zambia almost increased its lead when Mulenga beat the offside trap in the 74th, but Ovono made a good save.
Do Marcolino took advantage of poor defending, scoring a consolation goal in the 83rd with a curled shot that was deflected.
