Tunisia and DR Congo both qualified for the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup following a 1-1 draw in their final Group B match on Monday.

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Ahmed Akaichi headed Tunisia into the lead in the 31st minute from close range to put his side on the brink of qualification before Jeremy Bokila equalised in the 65th minute.

The goalless draw between Cape Verde and Zambia meant both Tunisia and DR Congo both progressed, with DR Congo edging through on number of goals scored.

Yassine Chikhaoui forced a brilliant save by the DR Congo keeper in the 20th minute, when Kidiaba tipped his 18-yard strike around the post.

A goal seemed to be coming and 10 minute later Tunisia took the lead thanks to Akaichi.

The striker sprung the offside trap and surged forward to head past DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba and leave Tunisia with one foot firmly in the quarter-finals.

Wahbi Khazri then wasted a golden opportunity to double Tunisia's lead when he fired over from close range.

Tunisia were left to rue their missed chances moments later after DR Congo substitute Bokila got onto the end of Mbokani's knock-down to send a low shot into the back of the net and score the goal which, as things stood, put his side through.

With Cape Verde playing Zambia at the same time in the other group match, both sides had to wait until the final whistle to learn they had both secured qualification.

The point from a goalless draw at the Estadio de Ebebiyin was not enough to secure Cape Verde a place in the last eight of the African Nations Cup, while 2012 champions Zambia also bowed out.

Had Tunisia beaten the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other Group B decider, Cape Verde would have progressed with their three points from three draws, but it instead finished 1-1 in Bata and DR Congo therefore reached the quarterfinals based on goals scored.

Zambia did start brightly, however, and they went on to dominate the opening half-hour.

Evans Kangwa forced Vozinha into a parried save before Rainford Kalaba drilled the ball over the ball and Given Singuluma made the Cape Verde goalkeeper fumble his long-range effort.

It was not until the hour mark that Zambia's Chisamba Lungu delivered a free-kick for Kalaba to rifle over the bar and a few minutes later Kennedy Mweene tipped Djaniny's curler around the post.

With time down it looked like Zambia might snatch a dramatic winner and steal through to the quarter-finals at the expense of DR Congo, but substitute Mukuka Mulenga slammed wide late on.