KUMASI, Jan 27: Defending champions Egypt kept up their goalscoring form at the African Nations Cup with a 3-0 win over Sudan that was overshadowed by a record-equalling penalty from Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o on Saturday.

Eto’o netted the fourth of five goals as Cameroon crushed Zambia 5-1 in the first of the two Group C matches in Kumasi, matching the 38-year-old record for the most number of tournament goals by a single player.

The striker’s third goal of the tournament in Ghana brought his overall tally to 14, equalling the mark set by Laurent Pokou of the Ivory Coast in 1970.

The runaway win for Cameroon restored their chances after they had lost 4-2 to Egypt earlier in the week.

The holders overcame a determined Sudan in their derby match, leading at halftime with a Hosni Abd Rabou penalty and adding two more in quick succession through substitute Mohamed Aboutrika after the break.

Sudan provided a spirited show early on but after goalkeeper Mahjoub El Moez conceded a penalty with a clumsy foul on the half hour, the Egyptians took control.

Geremi, Joseph-Desire Job and Achille Emana scored before the interval as Cameroon ran riot against Zambia in the earlier match at the Baba Yara stadium.

Job got one more in the last 10 minutes with Chris Katongo pulling one back in the final minute.

Cameroon profited from some horror defending by Zambia, who had beaten Sudan 3-0 in their first game on Tuesday.

A clumsy challenge from Kennedy Nketani on the edge of the area allowed Geremi to open the scoring with a free kick in the 28th minute.

Two defenders then missed a long ball from deep in Cameroon’s half to give Job an easy tap-in for the second three minutes later.

Emana claimed the third in the 43rd minute when Isaac Chansa tried to clear but only managed to direct the ball into the striker’s path.

Eto’o netted the fourth from the spot after Billy Mwanza handled trying to stop his free kick.

Cameroon’s fifth goal was another comic affair when Clive Hachilensa’s back pass caught his goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene out of position and Job walked the ball into the net.

Angola meet Tunisia (1700 GMT) and South Africa face Tunisia (1930) in Sunday’s Group D matches in Tamale with the four teams on one point.—Reuters