Angola and Algeria both advanced to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup thanks to a goalless draw in Luanda.

With Mali beating Malawi in the other Group A match, a point apiece proved enough in a game that started brightly before petering out in the second half.

The hosts went into the match top of the pool and knowing a draw would be enough to guarantee their progress.

But their approach was certainly not one of containment as Gilberto and Jose Alberto both tried their luck from long range in the early stages.

Algeria should have been ahead midway through the half, though, after Nadir Belhadj's free-kick caught out the Angola defence.

Hassan Yebda failed to make contact with an overhead kick but the ball fell to Madjid Bougherra five yards out. However, he could not beat goalkeeper Carlos.

Gilberto fired a free-kick over the bar and, at the other end, Abdelkader Ghezzal beat Carlos to the ball but his touch was too heavy and he could not take advantage.

In the 26th minute, a superb free-kick from Ze Kalanga was heading for the top corner only for Faouzi Chaouchi to pull off an equally brilliant save.

The Algeria stopper should have been given no chance two minutes from the break when Kalanga picked out Djalma in the area but he did not strike his shot cleanly and Chaouchi saved with his legs.

The Desert Hawks began the second half on the offensive and Karim Matmour just failed to get a touch on Hameur Bouazza's wicked low cross.

Bouazza then poked wide from a tight angle on the hour mark but, with both sides looking set to book their spots in the last eight, the pace dropped markedly.

The only moment of concern for Algeria came with four minutes remaining when Jamuana's free-kick almost squirmed under Chaouchi.

Angola topped the group thanks to their victory over Malawi and two draws while Algeria finished level on four points with Mali but progress courtesy of their 1-0 victory over their rivals - the only match in which they have found the net.