Amr Zaki's first-half strike was cancelled out by Zambia skipper Christopher Katongo three minutes from time.

The Pharaohs finished on top of their group with seven points, one ahead of second-placed Cameroon, who also booked a last-eight berth after crushing Sudan 3-0.

Combative striker Zaki scored his first goal of the tournament to put Egypt ahead on the quarter hour mark.

Ahmed Fathi released Sayed Moawad in the left flank before the Ismaili winger provided a pinpoint cross to Zaki, who side-footed into the bottom corner of the net.

Egypt could have been two ahead just before halftime.

The impressive Moawad raced down the left before whipping in a pinpoint cross to the unmarked Hosni Abd-Rabou, whose header was parried by the keeper.

Fathi tried to score from the rebound but his close-range shot hit the side-netting as Egypt were denied the second goal.

Coach Hassan Shehata wanted to revive his attacking options when he introduced Mohamed Abou-Treika and Mohamed Zidan in the second-half, but his substitutions were fruitless.

In the 87th minute, Katongo controlled a long ball inside the area before tricking Fathi and notching home at the near post past Essam Al-Hadari.