Jeremie Bokila scored a precious equaliser to secure DR Congo a place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup as they held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in Bata on Monday.

The result sees Tunisia top the pool with DR Congo in second place, ahead of Cape Verde on the number of goals scored in the pool.

Both sides finished on three points after three consecutive draws, but DR Congo scored two goals to Cape Verde's one.

Ahmed Akaichi had put Tunisia into a deserved first-half lead but they then missed a number of excellent chances to extend their advantage.

They were made to pay for that profligacy when Bokila, who had only been on the pitch six minutes as a second-half substitute, crashed the ball home.

Not that it mattered for the Tunisians in the end as they had set up a quarter-final meeting with hosts Equatorial Guinea on Saturday. That match is scheduled to be played in Ebebiyín but could be moved due to the limited capacity of the venue.

DR Congo will take on neighbours Congo-Brazzaville in a mouth-watering derby on the same evening in Bata.

Tunisia failed to score on 10 minutes when first Ferjani Sassi's shot was cleared off the line and then Yassine Chikhaoui somehow failed to steer the ball home at the back post when all he needed was a solid connection.

They did get the opener just past the half-hour mark though, as Chikhaoui's cross led to a goal-mouth scramble and Akaichi headed home.

That was the way it stayed at the break and the north Africans visibly took their foot off the gas in the second period, happy to defend their lead and safe in the knowledge that DR Congo had to score twice to upset them.

The Congolese did draw level on 66 minutes though. It was a wonderful finish as a long ball into the box was allowed to bounce by the Tunisian defence, and as it fell to the ground, Bokila unleashed an excellent low volley.

Another substitute, Hamza Younes, almost netted with his first touch for Tunisia but was kept out by the brilliant Robert Kidiaba in the Congo goal - who will have at least one more game in his international career, having made the decision to retire at the end of these championships.

DR Congo finished the stronger of the sides but the 0-0 draw between Cape Verde and Zambia meant they did not need a winner to progress.