body-container-line-1
27.01.2015 Cup of Nations

Eagles and Leopards through to Cup of Nations quarters

By Samm Audu
Tunisia's forward Ahmed Akaichi celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group B football match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tunisia in Bata on January 26, 2015.  By Carl de Souza AFPTunisia's forward Ahmed Akaichi celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group B football match between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tunisia in Bata on January 26, 2015. By Carl de Souza (AFP)
27.01.2015 LISTEN

Bata (Equatorial Guinea) (AFP) - Tunisia and DR Congo became the latest two teams to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday after playing out a 1-1 draw in Bata.

The result, coupled with a goalless stalemate between Cape Verde and 2012 champions Zambia under a tropical deluge in Ebebiyin, allowed the two nations to secure their berths in the last eight of the competition.

Georges Leekens' Carthage Eagles can now look forward to a meeting with host nation Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, when DR Congo will take on their neighbours Congo Brazzaville in an equally fascinating confrontation.

Tunisia, tipped by some as genuine contenders to win the competition at its outset, knew that a win would see them progress to the knockout stage as winners of Group B, and they were on course to take all three points when Ahmed Akaichi headed home his second goal of the tournament just past the half-hour mark.

However, the Leopards fought back to equalise just before the midway point in the second half, when Dieumerci Mbokani headed down for substitute Loteteka Bokila to finish.

And that proved enough for DR Congo to progress as runners-up behind the Tunisians thanks to events on the other side of the small country.

In Ebebiyin, torrential rain, thunder, lightning and a swirling wind made good football impossible, although Zambia missed a last-gasp chance to snatch victory and a last-eight spot when Mukuka Mulenga shot wide.

It was the second consecutive first-round exit for the Zambian Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets) after they lifted the trophy against all the odds three years ago.

Elimination proved a bitter blow too for the Cape Verde Blue Sharks, who reached the quarter-finals in their Cup of Nations debut two years ago but this time go home by virtue of having scored one goal fewer than DR Congo.

"It is a fantastic feeling. We worked for it and we deserved it. But we need to score goals and were lucky Cape Verde and Zambia only drew," said captain Youssouf Mulumbu after DR Congo qualified for the last eight for the first time since 2006.

- Claude Le Roy derby -

They will now face their neighbours from across the Congo River for just the fourth time in the competition, and the first in 41 years.

And this meeting will be extra special because of the Claude Le Roy connection -- the Frenchman now in charge of Congo Brazzaville who took the Leopards to the last eight in 2006 and also coached them at the last Cup of Nations two years ago.

"They will be tough opponents with an established coach. It will be more than a derby and it will be very difficult for us, and hopefully for them too," said the current incumbent of the DR Congo bench, Florent Ibenge.

Meanwhile, Tunisia can look forward to a clash with the host nation which is due to be played at the tiny Ebebiyin stadium on Saturday, creating a potential organisational headache for the Confederation of African Football.

Veteran Belgian coach Leekens said: "Tunisia are happy, Congo are happy, Equatorial Guinea are happy, everyone is happy! Life is great!

"It won't be easy because they were fantastic yesterday. I am happy for the country but now we want to qualify.

"It will be difficult because they will have the fans behind them but I am quite confident."

The other half of the draw will start to become clear on Tuesday, when Group C concludes with Algeria taking on Senegal in the capital Malabo while Ghana and South Africa clash in Mongomo.

All four sides are still in contention to qualify with myriad potential different scenarios.

However, Alain Giresse's Senegal are in pole position and know a draw will take them through.

Ghana and Algeria will both definitely advance with wins, while South Africa must win and hope other results go their way.

Just in....
body-container-line