Yaya Banana headed home a stoppage-time equaliser as Cameroon ended their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-2 draw in Zambia.
Brian Mwila had bagged a delicious goal in the 64th minute to give Zambia the lead for the second time, but Banana denied the hosts victory when he headed home from close range following a corner.
Both sides were already out of the running for Russia ahead of Saturday’s clash in Ndola, but with the pressure off, they served up an entertaining encounter.
Patson Daka fired the hosts ahead in the 26th minute, but his strike was cancelled out by Andre Zambo Anguissa five minutes later.
Mwila looked to have secured the win when he beat Fabrice Ondoa 26 minutes from time but the draw still ensures the hosts end the ‘Group of Death’ in second place on eight points – six behind group winners Nigeria.
The Super Eagles drew 1-1 with bottom side Algeria on Friday evening, with the Fennecs finishing with just two points, five behind African champions Cameroon.
Daka has been one of Zambia’s breakout stars during this qualifying campaign, and he opened the scoring before the half-hour mark when he was picked out by Fashion Sakala.
Zambia’s lead wasn’t to last, as Cameroon drew level in the 31st minute when Nicolas Ngamaleu played in Zambo Anguissa and the Olympique de Marseille man sent a long-range effort past Kennedy Mweene.
Both Enock Mwepu and Donashano Malama had chances to restore Zambia’s lead either side of half time, while the lightening Austine Mulenga – one of the hosts’ most impressive players – fired en effort wide just after the hour mark and earlier forced an exceptional stop from Ondoa with another strike.
Moments later, Zambia took the lead again, when Daka set up Mwila, who fired home with a right-footed shot after exceptional interplay from his compatriots on the edge of the box.
Chipolopolo looked set to see out the win despite the constant threat of the lively Fabrice Olinga, and it was the Mouscron forward who rescued the point when he set up Banana to head past Mweene in the first minute of stoppage time.
