Cape Verde squandered a number of chances but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against DR Congo in their African Nations Cup Group B clash in Ebebiyin on Thursday.
The best chance of the night came in the final five minutes as Congolese goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba was forced into a double-save with Cape Verde unable to scramble the loose ball home.
The results means Tunisia head the pool with four points from their two matches, followed by DR Congo and Cape Verde with two points each.
Zambia sit at the bottom of the table, but all things are still possible going into the final round of matches on Monday.
The clash between Cape Verde and DR Congo never lived up to any great heights, with the best of the action reserved for the closing stages as the islanders pushed for a win.
Congo's cause was not helped when star midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu was stretchered off with a hamstring problem midway through the first half, leaving them short on bite and quality in the centre of the park.
The best chance of the half fell to the Cape Verdians as Babanco's free-kick was swung to the back post and Kuca directed his header on target, but straight into the arms of a grateful Kidiaba.
Congolese forward Yannick Bolasie forced a good save from Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha in first half injury-time as the central African side offered a rare foray forward.
The was little to enthuse over in the second period until Cape Verde sprung to life in the final five minutes.
Defender Fernando Varela met a corner with his header, forcing Kidiaba to beat the ball away. It only got as far as Cape Verde substitute Platini though and his shot was just stopped on the line by the keeper as DR Congo survived a major scare.
There was another one a few minutes later too as Heldon, brought on as a late substitute after suffering toothache, cut inside to open up space for a shot, but Kidiaba had anticipated superbly and rushed out to block the effort with his chest.
Monday's matches will see Cape Verde take on Zambia, while DR Congo tackle pool leaders Tunisia.
