Drogba brace fashions Ivorians' win

Ivory Coast and Zambia ruthlessly crushed African Nations Cup underdogs Equatorial Guinea and Sudan 3-0 respectively on Saturday to end the dreams of opponents who had upset the odds to reach the last eight.

Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea were taken apart by favourites Ivory Coast, whose 33-year-old striker Didier Drogba scored twice after missing a penalty before Yaya Toure's long-range free-kick completed the win on another steamy Malabo eve­ning.

Ivory Coast will face Gabon or Mali, who meet on Sunday in Libreville, in the semifinals as they attempt to win their first title since 1992.

Zambia's Stopilla Sunzu, captain Chris Katongo and James Chamanga shared the goals in their quarterfinal victory over Sudan.