DR Congo thumped Zimbabwe 4-0 in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group A match at the 30 June Stadium in Egypt on Sunday night.

The victory saw the Leopards finish third on the group standings and they could advance to the Round of 16 if the results in other groups go their way, while the Warriors crashed out of the tournament after finishing fourth.

The Leopards got off to a flying start as they broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute through their target man Jonathan Bolingi.

#TotalAFCON2019 – RESULT:Egypt make it 3 wins from 3 matchesDR Congo crush Zimbabwean dream pic.twitter.com/VWKwzhQPSP— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2019

The Belgium-based striker pounced and scored with a header from close range to make it 1-0 to DR Congo after Zimbabwe goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze failed to hold Cedric Bakambu’s free-kick.

The Warriors grew in confidence as the match progressed, but Sunday Chidzambwa’s men were struggling to create clear-cut chances for their strikers Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat.

?? ICYMI #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/gv7Vxq4Vib— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2019

DR Congo, who have won two Afcon titles, looked dangerous every time they pushed forward and they managed to double their lead five minutes after the half-hour mark.

China-based striker Bakambu raced clear and fired past Baroka FC shot-stopper Chipezeze to make it 2-0 to DR Congo with the Zimbabwe defence exposed.

Bolingi, who had opened the scoring, picked up an injury and he was replaced by Middlesbrough FC frontman Britt Assombalonga on the stroke of halftime.

DR Congo were deservedly leading 2-0 at the interval after taking their chances in the first half.

Chidzambwa introduced Nyasha Mushekwi, who is a striker by trade, seven minutes after the restart as Zimbabwe looked to pull one back.

However, the Leopards continued to attack in search of more goals and they were awarded a penalty after Bakambu was fouled by Chipezeze in the box.

Bakambu then stepped up and fired past Chipezeze, who had replaced injured George Chigova in the starting line-up, to make it 3-1 to DR Congo five minutes after the hour-mark.

It was 4-0 to DR Congo following a mistake by Chipezeze as the goal-minder fumbled the ball and Assombalonga hit the back of the net with 12 minutes left.

Zimbabwe pushed for a late consolation goal, but Tino Kadewere was brilliantly denied by goalkeeper Ley Matampi to ensure that DR Congo recorded a 4-0 victory on the night.

Zimbabwe 0

DR Congo (2) 4 (Bolingi 4, Bakambu 35′, 65′, Assombalonga 78′)

Zimbabwe: Chipezeze, Darikwa, Mhlanga, Hadebe, Pfumbidzal, Munetsi (Kadewere 70′), Phiri, Karuru, Chawapiwa (Mushekwi 52′), Musona (Mahachi 80′), Billiat.

DR Congo: Matampi, Issama, Mbemba, Tisserand, Ngonda, Akolo (Luyindama 83′), Mulumbu (Elia 76′), Moke, Maghoma, Bakambu, Bolingi (Assombalonga 45′).

Tanzania will bid farewell to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Group C winnersAlgeria at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Monday.

Kick-off is at 9pm CAT.

Tanzania’s first Afcon since 1980 has not gone to plan for coach Emmanuel Amunike and his players, as they enter this final group match having already been mathematically eliminated from the tournament.

It’s do or die for most teams today as they look to secure a spot in the knockout stage.#TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/yEwp2IfzZs— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 1, 2019

The Taifa Stars opened their campaign with a 2-0 loss to Senegal and followed that up on Thursday night with a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to East African rivals Kenya. Amunike’s side twice led through Simon Msuva and Mbwana Samatta, but were ultimately out-fought by the Harambee Stars.

Being guaranteed to finish bottom of the group means Tanzania have only pride to fight for, but they could pick up a consolation win against an Algerian team which is likely to field a weakened line-up.

Group C concludes today…Here’s what matchday 2 brought! ?? #TotalAFCON2019 pic.twitter.com/qNuwzaG7ZQ— CAF (@CAF_Online) July 1, 2019

This is because the North Africans impressively defeated Senegal 1-0 on Thursday (thanks to a goal early in the second half through Youcef Belaili) and therefore secured not only a spot in the last 16, but also first place in Group C.

Kenya and Senegal clash in a massive Group C match at #AFCON2019 tonight, here’s what the log looks like going to the last set of fixtures. pic.twitter.com/hnrWMyRA26— SuperSport ???? (@SuperSportTV) July 1, 2019

This gives coach Djamel Belmadi the luxury of resting key players such as Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi (among others) to ensure they are fit and fresh for a last 16 clash against a third-placed team from one of Groups A, B or F next Sunday.

In head-to-head stats, Tanzania and Algeria have met in 10 previous matches. The Fennec Foxes have claimed five wins compared to one for the Taifa Stars, while four matches have been drawn. The teams’ most recent meeting was a friendly in Algiers in March last year which the home team won 4-1.

Madagascar coach Nicolas Dupuis hailed his team’s shock 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations victory over continental giants Nigeria that secured a place in the knockout rounds as a “dream” for the nation.

Goals from Lalaina Nomenjanahary and Charles Andriamatsinoro in Alexandria earned the Indian Ocean islanders a famous victory and saw Madagascar pip three-time winners Nigeria to top spot in Group B.

“I have to thank the players who made me proud and the people of Madagascar proud. It’s a real achievement for us,” said Frenchman Dupuis, who combines his role with a job at a lower-league club in his homeland.

“When I saw the group we were given we all put Nigeria as favourites. Nigeria are still a strong favourite for the tournament.”

Madagascar will face one of four best third-place finishers in the last 16 after becoming the first newcomers since Cape Verde in 2013 to survive the group stage.

“I find that the players are more and more concentrated,” said Dupuis. “But I have always played the same players and that’s going to be a major problem now.

“We’re going to have 10 of them resting at training. The main problem is that Marco (Ilaimaharitra) received a second yellow card and won’t be able to play in the next match.”

He added: “I really wanted to make the Madagascar people dream and we did but it came at a bit of a cost with all the effort we put in.”

Nigeria counterpart Gernot Rohr said he believed Madagascar were capable of creating further surprises, remarkable for a team that needed to come through a preliminary round just to reach the qualifying competition.

“You (Madagascar) can go very far now. You beat us, you beat Burundi, a team that’s not easy to beat. Anything can happen in knockout games. I think you’re capable of doing this again.”