RADES, Feb 1: Guinea striker Aboubacar Titi Camara struck a late equaliser as his side held Tunisia 1-1 on Sunday to qualify for the African Nations Cup quarterfinals as runners-up in group A behind the Tunisians.

Titi Camara, the former Olympique Marseille, West Ham United and Liverpool striker rounded goalkeeper Khaled Azaiez and blasted the ball into the net in the 84th minute to score for the third successive game.

Paris St Germain midfielder Slim Benachour, returning from a one-match suspension after his red card in the opening match against Rwanda, had put the hosts ahead with a superbly-taken goal in the 58th minute.

Guinea finished with five points from three games. A 1-0 defeat would have left them with an identical record to Rwanda, who beat the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 on Sunday, which would have required the drawing of lots.

Tunisia, who had already qualified and top the group with seven points, again spoiled their performance with their infamous niggling and playacting.

Guinea made a lively start and were unlucky not to go ahead when Titi Camara hit the bar after five minutes from a narrow angle following his burst through the Tunisia defence.

Brazilian-born Francileudo dos Santos, scorer of three goals in Tunisia's first two games, was involved in most of their best moves as they slowly took control. He fired over from a good position and then set up a clear chance for Ziad Jaziri, whose shot was blocked by Ibrahim Sory Conte.

Tunisia were dealt a blow when Ajax Amsterdam full-back Hatem Trabelsi, who came into the tournament after a three-month injury lay-off, was substituted at halftime after taking a knock a few minutes earlier.

In Bizerte, Rwanda's fairytale run at the finals ended despite the tiny east African country scoring a 1-0 win over giant neighbours the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda finished the tournament with four points in Group A but could not improve on third in the standings behind Tunisia and Guinea.

Said Abed Makasi scored the only goal after rounding Congo goalkeeper Muteba Kidiaba to score in the 74th minute of a match characterised by schoolboy errors. Makasi was one of three players in the Rwanda side playing against their former homeland. -Reuters