A late penalty from goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene has helped Zambia hold Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C encounter in Nelspruit.
The Super Eagles should have taken the lead in the 24th minute, when Davies Nkausu fouled Ahmed Musa inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot.
John Obi Mikel stepped up to take it, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Stophira Sunzu and Christopher Katongo both had chances to put Herve Renard's men in the lead, but Nigeria held on until half time.
Emmanuel Emenike nearly profited from a mistake by Mweene in the 55th minute, but managed to eventually open the scoring moments later.
The 25-year-old forward fired home after being supplied in the area by Mikel.
Zambia were fortuitously gifted a chance to equalise when Ogenyi Onazi was adjudged to have felled Emmanuel Mayuka on the edge of the area with just six minutes left on the clock.
Mweene dispatched the ball into the top corner to snatch a point for his country that sees them go second before tonight's game between Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
Michael Penkman
Eq Guinea
Nigeria
Ivory Coast
Guinea-Bissau
Cape Verde
Egypt
Ghana
Mozambique
Senegal
Guinea
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Angola
Burkina Faso
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Algeria
Mali
South Africa
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Zambia
