Samuel Eto'o equalled an Africa Cup of Nations record as Cameroon hammered Zambia 5-1 in Group C.
Barcelona striker now joint-top scorer in tournament history
Samuel Eto'o equalled an Africa Cup of Nations record as Cameroon hammered Zambia 5-1 in Group C.
The Barcelona striker converted a second-half penalty to draw level with Laurent Pokou for number of goals scored in the tournament.
Zambia did provide Cameroon with the odd scare in an entertaining game, but were largely the victims of their own downfall.
Cameroon grabbed the lead on 28 minutes when Newcastle United midfielder Geremi curled a free-kick past the wall and into the corner of the net.
Just four minutes later it was 2-0 when Zambia's Billy Mwanza missed his attempted clearance and Joseph-Desire Job showed good composure to score.
Eto'o volleyed over five minutes before half-time before it became 3-0 on 44 minutes when Achille Emana rounded the keeper to score after Isaac Chansa failed to cut out Alex Song's through ball.
Zambia were bright in the second half only to concede a fourth goal on 66 minutes when a penalty was awarded after Mwanza was adjudged to have blocked a free-kick from Eto'o with his arm.
Up stepped Eto'o to confidently dispatch his penalty low into the corner for his 14th goal in the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Chris Katongo twice came close to a consolation, with the Zambia captain driving just over and then seeing a header loop onto the top of the crossbar.
But another Zambia error gifted Cameroon a fifth goal on 82 minutes when Job blasted into an empty net after Clive Hachilensa headed the ball past his own startled keeper.
Zambia did grab a deserved consolation late on, fittingly through skipper Katongo, who slid in to convert a cross from the left wing.
