Former winners’ Cameroon, Zambia through

Cameroon and Zambia sealed their places for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations Equatorial Guinea 2015 with victories in the penultimate matches on Saturday.

Four-time winners, Cameroon edged DR Congo 1-0 in Yaounde to become the first team in Group D to qualify whilst 2012 winners, Zambia snatched the other automatic ticket for Group F thanks to a lone goal against Mozambique away in Maputo.

Portugal-based striker Vincent Aboubacar came off the bench to score the match winner on 71 minutes with a sublime finish, as the Indomitable Lions maintained their unbeaten run in the campaign.

The Cameroonians, who failed to qualify for the last edition in South Africa in 2013 are certain to finish tops of Group D after taking their tally to 13 points irrespective of the outcome of the final fixture against Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan next Wednesday.

The Ivorians had earlier boosted their chances with a 5-1 win over Sierra Leone in Abidjan on Friday. Salomon Kalou scored a brace before a goal each from Kolo Toure, Max Gradel and Gervinho ensured victory whilst Mustapha Bangura grabbed a consolation for the Leone Stars.

The Elephants are on nine points; four points shy of the Indomitable Lions, DR Congo on six points and Sierra Leone in that order with just a point.

Elsewhere in Maputo, TP Mazembe forward Given Singuluma was the hero for Zambia scoring in the 67 minutes to secure victory away from home.

The Chipolopolo moved to eight points, four short of Cape Verde, who thumped Niger 3-1 in Praia. Mozambique has five points and Niger with two points in that order.

The 2012 winners will surely finish as runners-up in Group F regardless of the outcome of the final fixture against Cape Verde next Wednesday, due to a better head-to-head with the Mozambicans.

Leaders Cape Verde was the first team to qualify, sealing their place after the fourth day of matches of the qualifiers.