Burkina Faso tops Group C as Zambia heads home

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP) -Defending champion Zambia crashed out of the African Cup of Nations on Tuesday after being held to a 0-0 draw by Burkina Faso, which advanced to the quarterfinals.

With Nigeria beating Ethiopia 2-0 in Rustenburg to advance, a third successive draw was not enough for Zambia to progress.

Burkina Faso sailed through at Zambia's expense, reaching the second round for the first time since it hosted the tournament in 1998 and finishing top of Group C on goal difference.

In a game that was low on quality, Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma missed clear-cut chances either side of the break.

For its part, Burkina Faso was content to flood the midfield and slow down a game that was already held up by a sandy pitch.