DR Congo secured the vital point

DR Congo's goalless draw in Botswana secured qualification for the Nations Cup, but their negative display was greeted with booing by the home fans at the final whistle.

Playing for a point from early on in the tie, the Congolese were happy to waste time and knock the ball around without making any real attacking thrust.

But the visitors were lucky to escape with a point, after two key refereeing decisions went in their favour.

Botswana cursed their luck in the 11th minute, after a ball bundled into the Congolese net during a goalmouth scramble was disallowed for an infringement.

Aggression

The home side had further reason to feel aggrieved, as Masego Nchingane's free-kick hit the crossbar and bounced over the goal line.

Match officials failed to spot this and the goal was not given to Botswana.

In a match long on aggression but short on clear-cut chances, the Congolose came closest through a series of speculative efforts from Mazona Njumbu and the disappointing Lomana Lua Lua.

In the second half, tempers threatened to boil over as a six-man scuffle broke out following a number of tackles that were upsetting the cautious Congolese.