DR Congo progressed to the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages and Tanzania bowed out after a 0-0 draw between the teams in Korhogo.

The second half saw Brentford’s Yoane Wissa denied by Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula and send a further shot over as DR Congo drew a third game out of three in Group F.

Sebastien Desabre’s side finish second in the pool behind Morocco and will face Egypt in the last 16 on Sunday.

A turbulent campaign for Tanzania, which included head coach Adel Amrouche being suspended after making comments about Morocco’s football federation and assistant Hemed Suleiman stepping in as acting boss, concludes with them bottom with two points.

Former Chelsea man Gael Kakuta brought a comfortable catch out of Manula with an early free-kick before Tanzania captain Mbwana Samatta rifled a shot off target on the quarter-hour mark.

Manula got down to save a Wissa effort, although the forward was flagged offside.

And Manula then did well to come out and make a block with his legs in the 30th minute when Fiston Mayele was played in.

After the break, DR Congo’s efforts to break the deadlock included substitute Meschak Elia blazing a 73rd-minute shot into the stand when the ball fell to him in the box following a free-kick.

Five minutes later, Wissa attempted to send a lob over Manula, who managed to tip the ball away.

The Leopards’ late push continued with Cedric Bakambu heading too high and another Wissa shot fizzing just over before the final whistle confirmed Desabre’s men as through with another draw.

Leicester forward Patson Daka headed in an 88th-minute equaliser as 10-man Zambia salvaged a hard-earned point at the death to deny Tanzania a first ever Africa Cup of Nations win.

Tanzania had led from the 11th minute when Simon Msuva punished some sloppy play with a powerful strike and Zambia’s problems grew worse when Rodrick Kabwe earned a second yellow card just before half-time.

But just when it appeared Avram Grant’s side were running out of time, Daka got across his man to divert a corner inside the far post.

Tanzania were under new, temporary, management in the form of Hemed Morocco after Adel Amrouche’s meltdown following the 3-0 loss to Morocco saw him banned for eight games and subsequently sacked.

They offered the ideal response when they took the lead 11 minutes in, with Mbwaba Samatta picking off the ball in midfield and striding forward to tee up Msuva, whose shot was still rising as it found the top corner.

Zambia wasted opportunities to level, with Fashion Sakala heading wide from point-blank range on the half-hour mark, and then somewhat harshly lost Kabwe to a needless second yellow in the 44th minute.

With the extra man, Tanzania were on top for much of the second half. They might have had a second when Mohamed Hussein’s cross deflected off Frankie Musonda and bounced narrowly wide, while substitute Morice Abraham brought a good save from Zambia goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga.

Daka had already wasted a good chance when he shot straight at Aishi Manula just after the hour, but with time running out the 25-year-old scored to avoid a costly defeat.

Goals from Romain Saiss, Azz-Eddine Ounahi and Youssef En Nesyri fired Morocco to a 3-0 win over Tanzania in a one-sided Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Former Wolves defender Saiss struck in the first half but, despite their total dominance, Morocco had to wait until the unfancied Tanzanians were reduced to 10 men late in the second half before finishing them off.

While Morocco could boast the likes of Paris St Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, Tanzania started with Tarryn Allarakhia of Wealdstone in attack.

Thus, the gulf in class between the World Cup semi-finalists and the minnows who have never won a match at the AFCON was clear, but Morocco could not find a way through until the 30th minute.

Ibrahim Hamad’s foul on Hakim Ziyech gave the Chelsea winger, on loan at Galatasaray, the chance to get the first shot on target of the match.

Ziyech’s fierce free-kick was beaten out by Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula but Saiss was following up and buried the rebound.

Ziyech, becoming increasingly influential down the right, then swung in a cross which En Nesyri headed over before forcing a decent near-post save from Manula.

As half-time approached, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli blazed over from a tight angle as Tanzania somehow made it to the break only trailing by one.

Tanzania were pushing their luck with some physical challenges and a predictable second yellow card ended Novatus Miroshi’s involvement 20 minutes from time.

Morocco then doubled their lead when Ounahi played a slick one-two with substitute Amine Adli before slotting past Manula.

Moments later Ounahi crossed for Sevilla striker En Nesyri to tuck in the third and ensure the Atlas Lions got off to a winning start.

Morocco boss Walid Regragui has told his players to forget about their World Cup heroics as they prepare to launch their Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania.

The Atlas Lions head into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy after their remarkable performance in Qatar, where they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals before losing 2-0 to eventual runners-up France.

They kick off their latest quest for glory against Group F Tanzania at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro on Wednesday, with Regragui taking nothing for granted.

He told a press conference: “Since the start of the competition, there haven’t been any easy matches. Our first match is important for us to enter the competitive atmosphere.”

The sides last met in a World Cup qualifier in November last year when Hakim Ziyech and a Lusajo Mwaikenda own goal secured a 2-0 win for Morocco.

Regragui, who boasts Paris St Germain defender Achraf Hakimi and Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat among his squad, will be without defender Noussair Mazraoui through injury.

The Taifa Stars, who have made the finals for just the third time, have included four players in their squad who are currently plying their trade at non-league level in England.

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Defender Haji Mnoga, who is on loan at Aldershot from Portsmouth, Wealdstone frontman Tarryn Allarakhia and Boreham Wood midfielder Mohammed Sagaf are all playing in the National League, while forward Ben Starkie is on the books at Northern Premier League Premier Division Ilkeston Town.

Head coach Adel Amrouche, who tempered earlier comments criticising the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s influence over the African game, said: “I spoke out a month ago, saying they are one of the best teams in the world. They reached the semi-final.

“They are not a team that win by luck, they win with their abilities. They deserve.”