Eto'o keeps Cameroon involved

African Cup of Nations Cameroon (2) 3 Sudan ... (0) 0Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o became the highest scorer in African Nations Cup history when he converted a penalty in a comfortable 3-0 win over Sudan yesterday.

The 'Indomitable Lions' finished second in Group C behind Egypt with six points to go through to the last eight.

Eto'o's 27th-minute strike took his tally at African Nations Cup tournaments to 15, overtaking the 38-year-old record of Ivory Coast's Laurent Pokou.

A bizarre own goal by Mohamed Ali Khider effectively ended the contest six minutes later before Eto'o completed the scoring in injury-time with his fifth goal at the 2008 finals.

"We've been very efficient and scored 10 goals in the group stage, I don't know many teams who've done that," said Cameroon coach Otto Pfister.

"We totally dominated the first half and, although we did not put on a great show, I'm happy that we've qualified."

Eto'o should have scored in the third minute when he had a clear chance from close-range but his first effort was saved by Mahjoub El Moez and he somehow fired the rebound over the crossbar.

Cameroon looked sloppy and lethargic after that but, in one of their few fluid moves, they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Achille Emana and Eto'o converted to break Pokou's record.

Cameroon went further ahead six minutes later when Sudan midfielder Rtshard Justin Lado's attempted clearance hit Khider and rebounded into the net for a bizarre own goal.

Cameroon could afford to relax a little after half-time and Sudan, who lost all three of their games and failed to score a goal, enjoyed some pressure.

Mohamed Tahir tested Idriss Carlos Kameni with a low free kick from the edge of the penalty area in the 71st minute and Haitham Mostafa fired wide from the edge of the area shortly after.

But Eto'o had the last say as he broke clear of the Sudan defence in injury-time and placed his shot past El Moez.

Meanwhile a last-gasp equaliser from Chris Katongo enabled Zambia to hold Egypt to a 1-1 draw.

But the result in Kumasi was not enough to rescue Zambia from elimination and confirmed Egypt as the Group C winners.

Amr Zaki scored after 15 minutes in another solid display by the defending champions, who finished with seven points, one more than second-placed Cameroon.

Egypt were caught out after a sustained period of pressure when Katongo blasted home from close range in the 89th minute to earn Zambia some reward for their efforts.

CAMEROON: Kameni, Song, Atouba (Tchato 46), M'Bami, Geremi, Eto'o, Emana (Tomou 57), Epalle (Essola 76), Song Billong, Job, Bikey. Subs Not Used: Angbwa, Binya, Hamidou, Idrissou, Makoun, Mbarga, Mbia, N'Guemo, Nkong. Booked: Bikey.

SUDAN: Elmuiz Abdalla, Bakhit (Tahir Osman 54), El Tayeb, Ali Elkhidir, Yousif Hado, Kuku, Lado, Karar, El Bashir, Kamal Tambal (Hassan 77), Agab Sido (Babiker 62). Subs Not Used: Bader Eldin Abdalla, Ahmed, Ali Idris Farah, El Basha Adam, El Hadi Salem, Eldin Ahmed Gibril, Hameed Amari, Hassan Ali, Mohamed Abdalla. Booked: Yousif Hado.

Referee: Kokou Djaoupe (Togo).