Pre-tournament favorites Senegal again failed to impress as they were held to a 0–0 draw by Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations, but the result ensured both teams progress in all but the knockout stages.
Senegal, hit hard by the COVID-19 infections, shared the top spot in Group B with West African rivals Guinea with four points after both teams won their respective opening games on Monday.
With the top two in each group, four best third-place finishers to advance, four points are expected to be enough for a place in the last 16.
However, Senegal have done little to live up to their tag as the team to beat in the tournament as they feel the impact of the 10 absences.
Senegalese captain Sadio Mane got a chance from a near-free kick at the start of Friday's game at Baphosam's Kauekong Stadium but hit the wall with his effort.
The opening half was largely overshadowed by his Liverpool teammate Nabi Keita, who led his Guinea team on successive occasions with runs checking into the opposing defence.
Keita's clever through ball split the Senegalese defense and freed two Guinea strikers from goal. Nevertheless, Ilex Moriba had his opening attempt saved by Cenny Dieng and then thwarted by a rebound by Morgan Gilavogue.
Senegal were the better outfit after the break and Dwarf Sir's pursuit of a 52nd-minute free kick was close to scoring the first goal, needing just a touch to guide it.
Four minutes later centre-back Abdu Diallo fired a header just above the crossbar from a free kick and in the 67th minute Mane's run went straight down the center circle and Sarr got a golden opportunity but snatched the ball wide.
10 missing Senegalese players all out due to the COVID-19 infection, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
Other absentees were Idrisa Gana Guay and Fode Ballo Torre, who tested positive after a narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in their opening match.
"It has been very difficult for us with all these missing players," Senegal coach Aliu Sisse said.
Four players were also missing in Guinea, who were under quarantine after testing positive.