Cameroon needed a win to be absolutely sure of qualification, and they duly got it, even though the first goal was a while in coming.

In truth, Sudan were second best from start to finish, and thus the Indomitable Lions must have felt it was only a matter of time before they sealed the win.

It seemed to be on the way early on as a blocked shot fell to Samuel Eto'o, who himself had an effort parried by the 'keeper before inexplicably hitting the rebound over the bar.

Sudan knew that they were in for a long afternoon and duly sat back, but as the likes of Bikey and Job roving near the box, it was only a matter of time before the Indomitable Lions took the lead, despite the relative lack of clear cut chances.

This they did just before the half-hour mark, with Samuel Eto'o netting from the penalty spot. The Barcelona forward coolly converted after Alaeldin held Emana in the box. In netting, Eto'o became the all-time leading Cup of Nations goalscorer.

Four minutes later, he was involved in the second. With Bashir under pressure from the onrushing Eto'o to clear Epalle's cross, the defender sliced the ball off Mohamed Ali Khider's back, with the ball rolling past El Moez and into the net.

That was a tough one for Sudan to take, and, perhaps steeled by the injustice, they soon came close through Mostafa, but the captain could only volley wide after a good pass from Agab.

Then, Job should have made it 3-0 with a header, only for El Moez to get down low well to save.

After the break, Sudan threatened again, with Carlos Kameni earning his spot as Cameroon's number one with a brilliant, stretching save after Alaeldin's long-range effort. He was soon called into action again by Agab, but this time found the going easier. At the other end, Tambal volleyed over the bar before Tomou fluffed a header straight at the goalkeeper.

It was becoming increasingly end-to-end, but neither side really looked like having the fluency required to add to the scoreline. Epalle found a volley blocked towards the end, but the Cameroonians, knowing that the job was done, were content to run down the clock.

Still, they did find time for a third after a fine solo run and shot from Samuel Eto'o, who cemented his place as a continental goal hero with five in this edition alone.

Thus his side secured a place in the quarter finals, where they have fallen in the last two editions of the tournament. Sudan, meanwhile, became the only side to leave  the tournament having failed to score a single goal.