ACCRA, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion Egypt easily gained a berth of the Africa Nations Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday as the top one of Group C, after a 1-1 draw with Zambia in the central Ghanaian city of Kumasi.

    Amr Zaki netted for Egypt with a left-foot volley in the 15th minute. The Pharaohs went close to score again when Mohamed Aboutrika struck from distance. At the same time, the Zambian team also missed several chances to bring it back as their skippers did not manage to change a perfect cross into a threatening strike.

Amr Hasan Zaky Mansour (R) of Egypt celebrates with his teammates after scores in a group match of the Africa Cup of Nations against Zambia held in Kumasi, Ghana Jan. 30, 2008. The match ended with a draw of 1-1 and Egypt entered the quarterfinal.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    In the first half, both the teams shot six times, but that led to only one goal. After the break, Egyptian coach Hassan Shehata replaced Zaki with Hanburg striker Mohamed Zidan in the 59th minute, attempting to extend Egypt's lead, but that led to nowhere.

    With three minutes left, Zambian speedy captain Christopher Katongo who played in Denmark, however, brought an equalizer with a shot near the post, dashing the hope of The Pharaohs to make a clear sweep in Group C.

    Due to Cameroon's 3-0 victory over Sudan, the Chipolopolo stillfailed to move out the group stage, but their performance in the match against the defending champion startled the audience and proved their capability

    Cameroon beat Sudan 3-0 in the northern Ghanaian city of Tamaleand became a team of the quarter-finals as the runner-up of Group C. Egypt will play with the runner-up of Group D in Kumasi next Monday. Cameroon will face the challenge of the winner of Group D in Tamale at the same day.

    The ranking of Group D will come out on Thursday.