Samuel Eto'o equalled the African Nations Cup goalscoring record as Cameroon restored their reputation with a comfortable 5-1 win over Zambia in their Group C match at Kumasi's Baba Yaro stadium yesterday.

Eto'o converted a 66th-minute penalty to register his 14th goal in five tournaments, matching a 38-year-old record set by Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast.

The penalty, awarded when defender Billy Mwanza handled the ball while defending an Eto'o free- kick, came after Cameroon had gone 3-0 ahead before half-time. Eto'o has now scored three goals in two games at the tournament, two from the penalty spot.

Geremi, Joseph-Desire Job and Achille Emana scored before the interval and Job got one more in the last 10 minutes.

Chris Katongo slid the ball in unmarked in the 90th minute for Zambia's late consolation goal and his brother, midfielder Felix Katongo, said the defeat had been devastating.

"We had to win this game but Cameroon beat us easily. If you give them free goals like that, there is nothing we can do. We will have to try to bounce back in the next game," he said.

Titleholders Egypt continued their free-scoring form with a 3-0 win over outsiders Sudan.

Hosni Abd Rabou broke the deadlock with a controversial, twice-taken penalty in the 28th minute and Mohamed Aboutrika scored twice in a five-minute spell late in the game.

Egypt, 4-2 winners over Cameroon in their first game, lead the group with six points while Cameroon and Zambia have three apiece.

Sudan, who fought hard and gave their more powerful neighbours a tough time until the last 15 minutes, are bottom with none.

Standings: Egypt 6; Cameroon, Zambia 3; Sudan 0.

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