Zambia and Mali each progress after a drab 0-0 draw ©CAF/Twitter

Zambia and Mali both progressed from Group D at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda, despite a drab 0-0 draw in Kigali's Stade Régional Nyamirambo today.

In a game of few opportunities, Zambia ensured they finished top of the group on seven points after their earlier victories over Zimbabwe and Uganda.

They are now due to face Guinea in the quarter-finals on Sunday (January 31).

Mali could still have missed out on qualification if they had lost and Uganda had won.

The goalless draw, thugh, ensured that they too safely progressed and will now also play on Sunday, against Tunisia.

Uganda's slim hopes were ended, meanwhile, with a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in the second match of the day in the Rwandan capital.

Both Uganda and Zimbabwe were eliminated after battling out a 1-1 draw ©CAF/Twitter
Both Uganda and Zimbabwe were eliminated after battling out a 1-1 draw ©CAF/Twitter

It secured already-eliminated Zimbabwe their first points of the Championships, a bittersweet achievement considering they so nearly secured all three.

William Manondo broke the deadlock for the Zimbabweans with a cool finish in the 49th minute before Geofrey Serunkuma's equaliser in the dying minutes ensured the points were shared. 

Two rest days will now take place before hosts Rwanda face Democratic Republic of Congo in the first quarter-final on Saturday (January 30) at the Amahoro Stadium.

Cameroon will face Ivory Coast later in the day.

The tournament, now in its fourth edition, differs from the more elite Africa Cup of Nations, as only players who represent clubs on the continent are allowed to take part.

The final is scheduled for February 7 at the Amahoro Stadium.