KUMASI - Egypt secured their place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup with a draw against plucky Zambia.
The holders were denied a 100% Group C record by an 89th-minute goal from Felix Katongo, which cancelled out Amr Zaki's 16th-minute opener, but a point was enough for them to finish top of the table.
Zambia are now eliminated after Cameroon beat Sudan to finish second, but the Chipolopolo went out in style with their late equaliser against much-fancied Egypt.
The Pharaohs missed a host of chances and will want to address their poor finishing if they are to make the semi-finals.
They took the lead when Zaki fired a rasping left-foot volley past Kennedy Mweene from Sayed Moawad's pin-point cross.
After that their attacks stalled in front of goal, although Mweene was in inspired form between the posts for the Chipolopolo.
Christopher Katongo had a good chance in the 24th minute but was denied by a last-ditch challenge from Moawad and Katongo then fired a 25-yard shot wide as Zambia searched for a way back.
Zaki could have grabbed a second for Egypt but shot straight at Mweene and Ahmed Fathi launched a thunderbolt inches over the bar minutes later.
Moawad was a constant menace on the wing and one of several teasing crosses set up Hosni Abd Rabou, whose header was well saved by Mweene.
Zambia almost gifted Egypt a second when Joseph Musonda completely missed a headed clearance but Zaki mis-timed his own header and it went well wide.
The chances kept coming for Zaki but still the striker could not add to his tally. Ahmed Hassan rampaged down the right wing and whipped in a cross but Zaki shot weakly at Mweene.
Jacob Mulenga should have done better with his shot from the edge of the area but the chance galvanised the Chipolopolo, who then came close to equalising when Clive Hachilensa's header bounced over.
The leveller finally came with a minute of normal time left when Katongo beat Fathi at the far post and struck past Essam El Hadari.
