Rwanda upset their giant neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 yesterday for their first African Nations Cup finals victory, only to have a place in the last eight snatched from them when a late Titi Camara goal gave Guinea a 1-1 draw with Tunisia.
In an error-strewn game in Bizerte Rwanda seized victory with a 74-minute goal by Said Abed Makasi, one of three Congo-born players appearing against their former homeland.
Mick Wadsworth criticised Congolese officials as his brief stint as coach ended on a low note. "The amount of pressure the players have to put up with from politicians and the federation is intolerable and unacceptable," he said. "Even at half-time today, I had to put up with a delegation of politicians that came in to address the players."
In Tunis Camara's 84th-minute goal ensured second place and a quarter-final berth for Guinea. Tunisia had dominated for long spells, but they settled for the draw that means they top the group.
"I am very happy," Camara said of his volleyed goal. "It was a great flick on from Sambégou Bangoura, and I just hit it as well as I could."
Tunisia, who made nine changes to the side that beat Congo on Wednesday, went ahead on 58 minutes through Slim Ben Achour, the match's dominant performer.
The PSG midfielder played a quick one-two with Francileudo Dos Santos and smashed home an unstoppable finish. When Rwanda then scored against Congo in the simultaneous game, the race for the second qualifying spot was perfectly balanced.
"We knew that Rwanda had scored, and with our goal differences being equal they would have drawn lots to see who finished second," the Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer explained. "We didn't know whether to hold on so as not to concede again, or go for a second goal. Thankfully Titi took the decision out of our hands, and saved us."
Nigeria kept their ambitions alive by hammering South Africa in Monastir on Saturday. The Super Eagles had been in trouble after their opening loss to Morocco, but their 4-0 victory will have done much to restore morale further damaged by the expulsion of three players on Friday.
The excellent Joseph Yobo got the first, before Jay-Jay Okocha scored a very dubious penalty - the 1,000th goal in African Nations Cup finals. The substitute Peter Odemwingie then lashed home two startling goals.
Morocco top the group after beating Benin 4-0 in Sfax.
