Angola made it through to the quarter-finals for the first time after a goalless draw with Tunisia in Tamale yesterday. Tunisia are also through to the last eight after topping Group D where they will play Cameroon. Angola face Egypt.
Angola's Flavio fluffed his side's best chance late in injury time when he shot tamely at the keeper from 15 yards.
The result, though drab for the fans used to goals galore at the Nations Cup, means that Angola finished with the same points and goal difference as Tunisia, but were beaten into second place in the group because the Carthage Eagles had scored one more goal after three games.
Despite both coaches voicing their intentions to go out and win the game, the tie always looked odds-on to produce the draw that would see both sides through.
Tunisia's Roger Lemerre started with both Yassine Chikaoui and hat-trick hero Francileudo dos Santos warming the bench, while Armine Chermiti returned to the Carthage Eagles' attack after serving a two-match suspension. And it was Chertmiti who had the first chance of the game after 16 minutes when the 20-year-old stole the ball from the feet of Angolan defender Kali and tested Lama with a low shot.
With 20 minutes left Angola's Gilberto summed up the apathetic atmosphere that had descended on the game with a 30-yard free kick struck so softly that it could have been mistaken for a pass.
In the other Group D game Senegal drew 1-1 with South Africa in Kumasi, a result that left both teams with two points and out of the tournament.
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