This is the shortest reign as African champions. This evening, champions Zambia failed in their bid to successfully defend the Africa Cup of Nations which they won last year. The boastful Zambians crashed out after recording their third consecutive draw in the 29^th edition holding in South Africa. Zambia were held goalless by Burkina Faso in Nelspruit on a night when Nigeria zoomed into the quarter-finals in style with a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in Rustenburg.

It was however not an easy victory for the 1980 and 1994 champions as they were stretched for 80 minutes before Victor Moses found the mark from the penalty spot after being hacked down in the Ethiopians’ vital area.

Ten minutes later, it was Moses again as he was brought down just as he was about to beat goalkeeper Sisay Bancha. Matters became compounded for the East Africans when Bancha challenged the referee for the decision and received a second yellow card which resulted in his being expelled. The Ethiopians had to play with a man down for the rest of the match. A confident Moses stepped forward once more and found the net to make it 2-0. Moses was expectedly declared man of the match.

Though Nigeria and Burkina Faso ended up with the same number of points after two draws and a win, the Burkinabes finished top and will face the Group D runners-up in the quarter-final while Nigeria will face Ivory Coast, who have already won Group D even before their last match tomorrow.

The tournament first round ends tomorrow with Algeria playing Ivory Coast and Togo squaring up against Tunisia.

•Photo: Man of the match Victor Moses.