The result means the Zambians breezed into the semi-finals, while South Africa, who needed a win to advance, finished third in the pool behind Tanzania.
It was a desperately disappointing result for Solly Luvhengo’s men following hard on the heels of the national Under-23 side’s elimination from the 2012 London Olympics qualifiers at the weekend.
Zambia opened the scoring midway through the first half when Evans Kangwa, set to join South African side Orlando Pirates, took advantage of some hesitant defending to toe-poke the ball home.
That was the way it stayed until the 57th minute when more poor defending allowed Ronald Kampamba to intercept a backpass and score. And it was 3-0 two minutes later when Shadreck Malambo netted to put the result beyond doubt.
Kangwa got his second just two minutes after that as the scoreline took on an embarrassing look for the South Africans, before Sanele Khuzwayo added a consolation from the spot for the South Africans.
But there was more to come from Young Chipolopolo when Kampamba got his second and Zambia’s fifth just before the end.
Zambia now advance to Thursday’s semi-finals, where they will take on Malawi, who won Group B.