NELSPRUIT (South Africa), Jan 22: The African Cup of Nations produced all the colour, chaos and drama with which it has traditionally been associated on Monday, as well as a couple of surprising results in Group ‘C’.

Defending champions Zambia were held by Ethiopia and a late equaliser from Burkina Faso to deny Nigeria left the group finely balanced on day three.

Zambia’s chances of emulating Egypt, Ghana and Cameroon as the only nations to retain the Nations Cup did not look promising after an explosive encounter with the Ethiopians, back in the big time after a 31-year absence which has drawn an estimated 10,000 fans, with busloads of South African-based immigrants flooding into Nelspruit from Johannesburg.

They were rewarded for their support, but not before they reacted to a red card for goalkeeper Jemal Tassew for a woeful tackle on Chisamba Lungu in the first half by throwing vuvuzelas and other debris onto the pitch.

Ethiopian coach Sewnet Bishaw defended his keeper and said he should not have been sent off as “he was doing his job”. “The reaction of the fans is normal. They are supporting their boys and they want them to win,” he said.

The match was delayed for eight minutes before order was restored and Zambia took the lead when Collins Mbesuma scored with a well-struck left-foot half-volley but Ethiopian captain Adane Girma scored to grab a deserved point.

Nigeria, seeking their third title and their first since 1994, will have to improve after outsiders Burkina Faso snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with the last kick of the game.

Substitute Alain Traore struck in the final seconds of stoppage time after capitalising on some sloppy defending to cancel out Emmanuel Emenike’s first-half goal.

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.

Results: Group ‘C’: Zambia 1    Ethiopia 1 Nigeria 1    Burkina Faso 1—Agencies