Augustine Kabaso Mulenga, who plays for Zanaco FC in Lusaka, opened the scoring for his side in the eighth minute at the Stade de Marrakech with a right-footed shot past Ivorian keeper Zadi Hortalin Jean Malick Ble following some neat build-up play by his team

Ivory Coast, who hosted the inaugural African Nations Championships in 2009, managed to register seven shots on goal during the first half but still entered the dressing room 1-0 down at half-time.

Kamara Ibrahim’s Ivory Coast side having numerous chances to draw level in the second-half before Mulenga sealed victory for Zambia, who came third when Ivory Coast hosted the tournament in 2009, with a composed finish into the back of the net after taking the ball past no fewer than four defenders.

This result means Zambia book their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament along with Nambia, who followed up their shock win against Ivory Coast on day two of the competition by beating Uganda thanks to a last-minute winner from Halleluya Nekundi at the Stade de Marrakech.

The tournament continues tomorrow.​​​