Zambia and Cape Verde battled to a rain-soaked goal-less draw Monday, sending Zambia, the 2012 champions, homeward.
The tie resulted in both teams at the bottom of Group B, meaning Cape Verde also failed to advance.
Democratic Republic of Congo’s Jeremy Bokila scores a goal against Tunisia during their Group B soccer match of the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Bata. (REUTERS)
In the other Group B match-up, however, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia drew at 1 apiece, giving both sides a point, top placement at the head of the group and advancement to the knockout round.
Tunisia’s Ahmed Akaichi scored first, with a 31st minute header from the box to the bottom right corner.
Congo’s Jeremy Bokila responded with a left-footed howler from the center of the box in the 66th minute, off a headed pass from Dieumerci Mbokani.
Tunisia will take on host Equatorial Guinea in their first knockout round match on Saturday, while DR Congo takes on Congo.