The Carthage Eagles, the 2004 champions, needed a point to secure second spot behind Nigeria while the East Africans advance as the last of four best-ranked third placed teams - edging out Angola on goals scored. Ismael Gharbi had already hit the left-hand upright and come close to catching Taifa Stars goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga off his line from 45 yards out before calmly slotting Tunisia ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. The spot-kick had been awarded after an intervention by the video assistant referee (VAR), with referee Jean Jacques Ndala Ngambo deciding that Ibrahim Hamad had impeded the run of Hazem Mastouri with an arm around his neck as the Tunisia striker tried to get on the end of a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick. Tanzania still had the chance to progress with a score draw, and Feisal Salum made it 1-1 early in the second half with a shot from outside the box which crept inside the left-hand upright. There were few chances for either side to grab a winner, with Tanzania striker Simon Msuva coming closest when he headed a corner into the side-netting at the near post. The Taifa Stars become the first side to progress to the last 16 at an Afcon with two points since the tournament was expanded to a 24-team tournament in 2019. Tunisia will take on Group A runners-up Mali in Casablanca on Saturday, 3 January (19:00 GMT), while Tanzania - who have reached the knockout stage for the first time - remain in Rabat to face host nation Morocco the following day (16:00 GMT).

The seven-time champions fielded an entirely changed starting XI, having already secured top spot heading into their final game, and lacked a cutting edge in Agadir. Angola needed to win to boost chances of making progress themselves, and will face a nervous wait to see if their two points is enough to qualify for the last 16 as one of the four best-placed teams from the six groups. Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are already guaranteed at least third place in their respective groups, and all have three points. Winger Fredy struck the outside of a post for Angola early in the second half. Egypt's Zizo - one of three players introduced by the Pharaohs at the break - stung Hugo Marques' fingertips with a shot from inside the box shortly afterwards. Salah and Marmoush scored in their country's 2-1 comeback win over Zimbabwe in their opening game, followed up by a 1-0 victory against South Africa courtesy of the four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner's penalty. Egypt will remain in Agadir to meet a third-placed team from Group A, C or D in Agadir next Monday (16:00 GMT) and will discover their opponents after the group stage concludes on Wednesday. South Africa's 3-2 win over Zimbabwe in the simultaneous Group B closer sent Bafana through automatically with a four-point cushion over Angola.

Both teams found it hard to carve out clear openings and it took until the 42nd minute before either managed a shot on target. Kamory Doumbia came closest to breaking the deadlock, although the midfielder knew little about the fierce shot from Eagles team-mate Nathan Gassama that struck his shin and deflected a hair's breadth past the post 10 minutes into the second half. Substitute El Fardou Ben had Comoros' best chance, seeing a left-footed drive from an angle bring a fine one-handed save from Djigui Diarra, while Rafiki Said had an effort cleared off the line which was then correctly ruled offside by a late flag. Mali substitute Amadou Haidara was the recipient of an extremely harsh red card with two minutes of regular time to play, but even with 10 men the West Africans had no problem holding on for a draw to finish Group A unbeaten with three points, while Comoros' two points will not be enough to see them finish as one of the best third-place sides because of their inferior goal difference. Results in Group A and Group B on Monday mean Benin, Sudan and Mozambique are all now guaranteed passage through to the last 16 before their respective final fixtures. Mali's reward for second place in Group A behind hosts Morocco is a tie against the runners-up from Group C - Tunisia, Tanzania or Uganda - in Casablanca on Saturday (19:00 GMT).