MALABO — Zambia snatched top spot in Group A with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in the African Cup of Nations on Sunday to join the co-host in the quarterfinals and end Libya's faint hopes of progressing.

Christopher Katongo scored in the 67th minute against already-qualified Equatorial Guinea, with the co-host having to settle for second and a likely meeting with Cote d'Ivoire in the last eight.

"Our strategy was to go into the second round," said Katongo, "Whoever we meet it's not our problem. We have to concentrate on our own tactics and what the coach wants us to do."

Libya exceeded expectations simply by qualifying for the tournament as civil war raged at home, and the surprise opening 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea proved crucial as the north Africans bowed out despite beating Senegal 2-1.