NELSPRUIT — Defending champions Zambia crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after a goalless draw with Burkina Faso last night, who progressed to the quarter-finals.
Report by BBC Sport
Chipolopolo went into the game level on points with Nigeria, who went through to the last eight after a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in the other Group C game.
Burkina Faso finished with five points, the same as Nigeria. Nigeria qualified for the next round of the Afcon after two late Victor Moses penalties gave them a crucial win against Ethiopia.
Zambia will rue weak efforts from Collins Mbesuma and Rainford Kalaba in a poor game against Burkina Faso. Clifford Mulenga also missed a half-chance late as Zambia limped out.
It is the first time that reigning champions have gone out in the group stage since Algeria in 1990, when there were four groups of three teams. But Zambia deserved no more than they got as they failed to produce anything like the form that took them to the title last year — even though they leave South Africa unbeaten after three draws.
In contrast, Burkina Faso have shown good moments — most notably their 4-0 demolition of Ethiopia — and finished top of the group on goal difference.
However, neither Chipolopolo nor the Burkinabe covered themselves in glory in this final group match.
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In fairness, the shocking pitch in Nelspruit, which was covered in sand because a virus had affected the grass, caused big problems from the start.
Players were losing their footing and it was obvious that the game was not going to be a classic.
With the ball bobbling around all over the place and the players opting for long, hopeful punts up field, there was a total lack of control and a chaotic feel to the play.
Add to that the pressure that both sets of players were under — knowing that this was a winner-takes-all match — it was unsurprising that there was a reluctance to try to get the ball down and play.
