Despite their willingness to bag the three points, Cameroon were ultimately held to a 1-1 draw by Zambia in their Group B 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier at Stade Omnisport in Limbe on Saturday afternoon.

Although Zambia scored first, the hosts found the back of the net through a penalty when Vincent Aboubakar converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time.

Chipolopolo broke the deadlock in the contest through a fine finish from Collins Mbesuma as early as the 34th minute.

The stalemate means the hosts have two points at number two in the group from two draws thus far, while Zambia now have one point at the bottom of the group following their defeat to Nigeria on the opening weekend of qualifying.

Goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene was called to make a save in the sixth minute to deny Benjamin Moukandjo after a great move that stemmed from the middle of the park.

After absorbing the pressure, Chipolopolo came close in the 30th minute when Mbesuma connected with Chisamba Lungu's cross on the left flank, but the forward's effort went wide, not troubling goalkeeper Joseph Ondoa.

Four minutes later, Mbesuma scored from a set piece in the box delivered by skipper Rainford Kalaba's skilled left foot - the Highlands Park striker finished from close range.

In the dying minutes of the opening half, Hugo Broos's men received a penalty when a Zambian defender handled the ball in the box. Aboubakar netted beating Mweene on his right.

It was 1-1 at half time.

In the 60th minute, a set piece from Lungu into the box almost caught the hosts napping once again. Kalaba, who beat two Cameroon defenders, sent his follow-up shot straight to Ondoa.

With four minutes to go, Mweene produced a fine save to deny Aboubakar from a towering header to concede a corner at the far post.

Despite enjoying ball possession and exerting pressure on their visitors in six minutes of added time, the Indomitable Lions failed to get the winner as both sides shared the spoils.

Cameroon: (1) 1 (Aboubakar 45'+4)
Zambia: (1) 1 (Mbesuma 34')

Cameroon: Cameroon: Ondoa, Nyom, Nkoulou, Chedjou, Oyongo, Ngadeli-Ngadjui, Siani, Salli (Abang 45'), Ekambi (Bedimo 81'), Moukandjo, Aboubakar

Zambia: Mweene, Chongo, Kapumbu, Tembo, Sunzu, Chaila, Mtonga, Kangwa (Silwimba 44'), Lungu (I. Chansa 90'), Kalaba, Mbesuma (Kola 56').