LUBANGO: Four-time champion Cameroon revived their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals at the African Cup of Nations by beating Zambia 3-2 while Gabon played a scoreless draw against Tunisia.

Cameroon moved second in Group D with three points, one behind Gabon and will advance with a win over Tunisia in the final group game. After making an error that led to his team’s opening loss to Gabon, veteran defender Rigobert Song blundered again to gift Zambia the opening goal. In the eighth minute, Song attempted to clear the ball but ended up directing his header toward his own goal and goalkeeper Carlos Kameni could only parry it away, allowing Jacob Mulenga to convert the rebound.

But Geremi Njitap equalised with an angled shot in the 68th and Samuel Eto’o added another from close range four minutes later. Zambia captain Christopher Katongo leveled the score again from the penalty spot eight minutes from time after Cameroon goalkeeper Carlos Kameni had fouled Mulenga in the area. But substitute Mohamadou Idrissou netted the winner with a header four minutes later to give Cameroon the win.

Earlier on Sunday, Gabon missed a chance to secure qualification for the knockout-phase with a 0-0 draw against Tunisia. Gabon wasted a handful of scoring opportunities and failed to build on the momentum of their opening 1-0 win over Cameroon. The team will now have to wait until their last group game against Zambia to know their fate.

Tunisia, who next play Cameroon, created an early chance when Hocine Ragued’s header from a corner flew over the bar in the third minute. In reply, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang showed his dribbling and shooting skills in the ninth minute, forcing a good save from keeper Aymen Mathlouthi despite being surrounded by four defenders.

Gabon continued to have the upper hand, with Issam Jemaa going close in the 16th minute with a half-volley before Mouloungui missed the target with a diving header three minutes later.

Aubameyang broke down the right flank 10 minutes later and unleashed a strike that was parried away by Mathlouthi. Gabon went on to dominate the second half, although Tunisia missed a chance to score just after the hour mark when Ovono blundered by failing to control the ball with his chest.