Angola and Tunisia drew 0-0 Thursday and advanced to the 2008 African Nations Cup quarter-finals from Group D at the expense of Senegal and South Africa.
The 'Carthage Eagles' of Tunisia shaded the 'Black Antelopes' of Angola for top spot on goals scored (five to four) after both finished with five points and plus-two goal differences while their rivals collected two apiece.
This means 2004 champions Tunisia stay at Tamale Stadium for a clash with four-time winners Cameroon Monday while Angola travel south to confront defending champions Egypt in Kumasi the same day.
While Tunisia will be making a sixth knockout-phase appearance in seven editions, Angola go through for the first time after being deprived on goal difference in Egypt two years ago.
Angola coach Luis Oliveira Goncalves commented: "The best two teams in the group have made it. We're happy to survive this round for the first time in our history.
"Now Africa knows that Angola is a football nation."
His Tunisian counterpart Roger Lemerre, the only manager to have won a European title, in 2000 with France, and the African Nations Cup with Tunisia, said: "It's a great feeling to be among the eight best teams.
"The most important thing was to qualify. We couldn't be sure of anything before the game, as South Africa and Senegal (who drew 1-1) were still able to overtake us."
Angola retained the team that created the biggest upset of the group phase by overcoming a half-time deficit to rock Senegal 3-1 with two goals coming from new star Manucho.
But Lemerre maintained his fondness for rotation and dropped four of the side that overcame South Africa 3-1, including two-goal hero Francileudo dos Santos.
Into the team came Amine Chermiti, the teenage striker from African club champions Etoile Sahel, who missed the first two group fixtures after being sent off in the final round of qualifiers.
Barcelona superstar Samuel Eto'o, who created an all-time Nations Cup scoring record of 16 goals at the same ground Wednesday, and his Cameroon team-mates were among the small crowd in this northern town.
The uncertainty of Angola goalkeeper Lama on crosses was exposed after five minutes when a mix-up between him and defender Rui Marques led to a hasty clearance at the expense of a corner by the latter.
Tunisia almost went ahead from the set piece as a glancing header by defender Sabeur Ben Frej, another member of the Etoile Sahel side that conquered the continent, flashed just wide.
The 'Carthage Eagles' wasted an even better chance midway through the first half as they sprung an offside trap and unmarked Chermiti headed across Lama only for the ball to finish off target.
Angola carved open the Tunisian defence with a Flavio Amado pass setting up Ze Kalanga, who was foiled by a brave block from goalkeeper Hamdi Kasraoui.
If Lama does not enjoy the ball drifting in from the wings, he is an excellent shot stopper and when Kamel Zaiem unleashed a goal-bound drive the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Angola came close to breaking the deadlock 12 minutes into the second half as Amado and Manucho set up midfielder Maurito and Kasraoui did well to push away a fierce drive.
Midway through the second half rival coaches Luis Oliveria and Lemerre decided it was time for fresh legs in the hot conditions with Angola bringing in Mateus Costa and Loco while Mehdi Ben Dhifallah came on for Tunisia.
There was nothing between the teams in their first Nations Cup meeting and when Issam Jemaa created some space he delivered a shot that would be more at home in a Rugby World Cup.