Zambia began the match looking the much better team and perhaps the brightest of the tournament so far. Ethiopia were struggling to resist the passing game run by Christopher Katongo and their bungled attempts of playing from the back only gave Zambia more impetus.
Despite this attacking intent, it was actually Ethiopia would claim the first corner and also have the clearest sight on goal. A long ball from the defence was completely missed by Stophira Sunzu which allowed Saladin Said in on goal. The hard, dry pitch caused the ball to bounce higher than normal and Said could only poke the ball over Kennedy Mweene. On any other pitch, the poke would have been enough to drop right into the net to give Ethiopia the lead. But the pitch caused the ball to bounce just as high as before and over the bar.
25-minutes in and Ethiopia were given another fantastic opportunity to take a shock lead in the match. Said was tripped by Chisamba Lungu in the box and the referee had no option but to award a penalty. Said stepped up but his placement was telegraphed and easily saved by Mweene.
Ten minutes before half-time Ethiopia were in trouble as Jemal Tassew tried to kung-fu clear a ball. But Lungu got their first and the keeper firmly caught Lungu in the mid-riff. Whether he knew it or not, Tassew was always going to get red carded for it. But the keeper rolled on the floor and ultimately got stretchered off whilst the red card was brandished. If that stoppage wasn't enough, officials then delayed play even more as some Ethiopian fans had thrown bottles and other items onto the field.
Once action had got back underway, Zambia looked to take immediate advantage of the man deficit. They did so just before half-time when a great passing move ended with Issac Chansa playing the ball in for Collins Mbesuma to chest down and score.
Again, Ethiopia's wish to play the ball from the back caused them problems in the second half as Zambia tried to score more goals. Zambia did miss chances to get a second and the were caught cold by the ten men. Said found himself in acres of space on the right and played the ball into Adane Grima who coolly finished in off the post to find that crowd lifting equaliser.
This opened the game right up but neither could find that killer blow to take all three points. Emmanuel Mayuka came on for a late spell and looked very energetic, but he also couldn't beat substitute keeper Zerihun Tadele. It's a result that Zambia will be slightly upset with and will be hoping for more next time around but Ethiopia will be celebrating their first match in the AFCoN since the 70s.
With Zambia only managing a draw, this gave Nigeria a huge opportunity to take control with victory over Burkina Faso. They looked to be grabbing the chance with both hands as Burkina Faso couldn't handle them to begin with. Ideye Aide Brown should have given Nigeria the lead, but his effort from a low cross from ten yards sailed over the bar.
The Nigerians' class finally broke the deadlock on 23-minutes when a classy Ideye flick with his heel found Spartak Moscow's Emmanuel Emenike who neatly finished with the outside of his foot. Burkina Faso didn't really threaten much in the first apart from a number of free-kicks caused by cynical Nigerian fouls.
Burkina Faso created a few more chances in the second half and probably should have equalised but Vincent Enyeama was doing his very best to keep Nigeria in front. But Nigeria's ill-discipline would finally cost them as Efe Ambrose was shown a second yellow card with 16-minutes to play.
This didn't seem to deter Nigeria until the final minutes where Burkina Faso began to play better and look more attacking. Jonathan Pitroipa managed to find pull back which Nigeria couldn't intercept. It fell to the path of Alain Traore who managed to slot home to pick up a surprise point with the final kick of the match.
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