Zambia, Nigeria make stuttering starts

Nigeria, seeking their third title and their first since 1994, will also have to improve after outsiders Burkina Faso snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with the last kick of the game at the Mbombela Stadium. Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi, whose side were reduced to 10 men when Efe Ambrose was sent off in the closing stages, was philosophical about the outcome. "I am going to let the players sleep on it.

There is no point in blowing their heads off about it tonight," he said. The Nigerians are likely to have nightmares, though, after allowing substitute Alain Traore to capitalise on some sloppy defending and fire in with three seconds of stoppage time remaining. Monday's results meant that five of the first six games in the tournament finished all-square, the only exception being Mali's 1-0 win over Niger in Group B on Sunday.