NIGERIA YASONGA ROBO, ZAMBIA WATEMESHWA TAJI MAPEMAAA

Striker Victor Moses converted two late penalties to lead Nigeria to a 2-0 win over Ethiopia on Tuesday and a spot in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Moses scored in the 80th and 90th minutes, sparing his team an early exit with a goalless draw at Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Ethiopia, appearing in their first tournament for more than 30 years, finished bottom of Group C.

Defending champions Zambia were also eliminated after a 0-0 draw with Burkina Faso, who won the group with five points. Nigeria also ended with five points, but trailed on goal difference.

Saviour: Victor Moses scored two penalties to keep Nigeria's tournament alive

Elaborate: Nigeria's Efe Ambrose does a back flip in celebration

MATCH FACTS

Ethiopia: Bancha, Gebreyes, Bune, Alula Girma, Elias, Estifanos (Teshome 46), Saleh (Bogale 68), Hintsa, Oukri (Ibrahim 46), Kebede, Said.

Subs Not Used: Tadelle, Zinabu, Hailu, Bekele, Assefa, Tassew.

Sent Off: Bancha (85).

Booked: Elias, Gebreyes, Alula Girma, Bancha.

Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Omeruo, Oboabona, Echiejile, Mikel (Yobo 90), Ogude, Moses, Mba, Uche (Musa 65), Emenike (Ideye 75).

Subs Not Used: Agbim, Obiorah, Egwueke, Gabriel, Onazi, Uzoenyi, Igiebor, Oshaniwa, Ejide.

Booked: Mba, Ogude.

Goals: Moses (pen) 80, (pen) 90.

Att: 15,000.

Ref: Bouchaib El Ahrach (Morocco).

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Moses was twice fouled inside the area to win the penalties, and then kept his cool to find the net both times for the two-time African champions. The Chelsea striker was brought down by defender Alula Girma for the first penalty and then stopped by goalkeeper Sisay Bancha in another breakaway.

Bancha was sent off for the challenge and midfielder Addis Hintsa had to replace him in goal because all three substitutions had already been made.

Just after the first Nigeria goal, Ethiopia nearly equalized with a close-range header by Saladin Seid. However, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama made a brilliant save, diving to his right and deflecting the ball with his outstretched arms.

Seeking its first title since 1994, Nigeria were coming off two 1-1 draws in the first matches, both times after having taken the lead. The Super Eagles didn't qualify for last year's tournament.

Nigeria's best chance before the penalties came in the 66th, when a header from Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel was cleared off the line.

Without the penalties, Mikel and his teammates would have been eliminated because of their disciplinary record.

One: Moses scores his first penalty as he sends Sisay Bancha the wrong way

Two: The Chelsea winger added another from the spot in a 2-0 win

Nigeria and Zambia were level on points, goal difference and goals scored, so the decision would have gone down to a Fair Play system based on the number of yellow and red cards. Nigeria had more than Zambia until then.

Ethiopia needed to beat Nigeria and hope that Zambia lost to Burkina Faso.

It was also without top players Asrat Megerssa and Adane Girma, who were injured in the first half against Burkina Faso, while goalkeeper Jemal Tassew was suspended for two matches after a reckless tackle in the opener against Zambia.

Ethiopia won the Cup of Nations in 1962 but last qualified for the final tournament in 1982.

Booked: Chelsea's Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel gets a yellow card

Out: Ethiopian fans enjoyed their first Africa Cup of Nations since 1982 but their journey ended at the group stage

Defending champions Zambia crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday after being held to a 0-0 draw by Burkina Faso, who advanced to the quarter-finals.

With Nigeria beating Ethiopia 2-0 in Rustenburg to advance, a third successive draw was not enough for Zambia to progress.

Burkina Faso sailed through at Zambia's expense, reaching the second round for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1998 and finishing top of Group C on goal difference.

Going home: Zambia's Nathan Sinkala shows his disappointment after his team were eliminated

Going through: Burkina Faso players celebrate finishing top of group C

MATCH FACTS

Burkina Faso: Diakite, Bakary Kone, Panandetiguiri,Keba Paul Koulibaly, Djakaridja Kone, Koffi, Rouamba,Alain Traore (Bance 11), Pitroipa (Abdou Razak Traore 90), Balima (Dah 46), Kabore.

Subs Not Used: Germain Sanou, Henri Traore, Dagano, Ouattara, Rabo, Pan-Pierre Koulibaly, Wilfried Sanou, Nakoulma.

Zambia: Mweene, Sinkala, Mbola, Himoonda, Nkausa (Musonda 17), Sunzu, Kalaba, Chansa (Mukuka Mulenga 56), Mayuka, Lungu (Sakuwaha 81),Mbesuma.

Subs Not Used: Titima, Kasonde, Jacob Mulenga, Felix Katongo, Christopher Katongo, Chamanga, Chivuta, Njovu, Munyao.

Booked: Musonda, Mayuka.

Att: 8,000.

Ref: Neant Alioum (Cameroon).

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In a game that was low on quality, Zambia striker Collins Mbesuma missed clear-cut chances either side of the break.

Burkina Faso knew that a draw was all they needed and was content to flood the midfield and slow down a game that was already held up by a sandy pitch.

Burkina Faso's initial ambition shrunk even further when they lost leading goalscorer Alain Traore to injury in the opening 10 minutes, but Zambia failed to produce the quality required to break their opponents down.

Mbesuma had a gilt-edged opportunity in the 17th minute, but hit Chisamba Lungu's cross straight at Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite.

Rainford Kalaba also forced a save from Diakite in first-half stoppage time as a cross drifted to the back post, but his weak header was easily dealt with.

Zambia flooded forward as the second half wore on, yet the only genuine opportunity came when Mbesuma headed a corner over the crossbar.