Tunisia secured their passage into the last eight with a 3-0 win but the stormy encounter saw Congo skipper Lomana LuaLua sent off late in the first half.

The Newcastle striker, who claimed that his team's campaign had been deliberately undermined, was so distraught that he immediately threatened to quit international football.

"We've been treated like shit since we have been here," said the 23-year-old who added he had already been punched.

"I'm finished with internationals now because I fear what the reaction might be towards my family back in Congo after this.

"Every time I come here I am risking my life. God knows what's happening. I might have to think twice about playing internationals again."

LuaLua was red-carded in the 38th minute when he clashed with Tunisian midfielder Jawhar Mnari.

Television replays showed that LuaLua kicked out meekly at the ankles of the Tunisian player but Mnari collapsed theatrically to the ground writhing in agony and holding his head.

The Newcastle ace had to be escorted from the pitch as rival officials and players became involved in an ugly bust-up on the touchline.

Congo's English coach Mick Wadsworth accused the Tunisians of deliberately trying to get his captain red-carded.

"We spoke to Lomana before the game, we knew he was under a great deal of pressure and that they were frightened of him," said Wadsworth.

"They changed their team radically to try and cope and he got drawn into something he shouldn't have got drawn into.

"They did the Oscar nominations last night. They should have waited another 24 hours because they could have got a few more here."

Brazil-born Silva dos Santos scored twice for the Carthage Eagles in the second half and fellow striker Najeh Braham netted once to maintain their 100 percent record after two rounds of Group A action.

Tunisia have six points, Guinea four, Rwanda one and DR Congo none ahead of the final series of games Sunday when Tunisia tackle Guinea here and Rwanda confront DR Congo in Bizerte.

Earlier in Bizerte, Rwanda scored an injury time equaliser to keep their hopes of qualifying alive with a 1-1 draw against Guinea.

Rwanda had lost 2-1 to hosts Tunisia on the opening day and were in danger of being eliminated when substitute Karim Kamanzi popped up in stoppage time to cancel out Titi Camara's early second-half goal.

"It is very disappointing," said Guinea coach Michel Dussuyer.

"We almost had qualification for the quarter-finals sewn up but now we must forget this very quickly and prepare for the next match against Tunisia."

Rwanda's assistant coach Marie Takwabira said that his team's task will be made harder by losing two key players to suspension.

"The equalising goal was incredible but that's football. We have the ability to beat Congo in our last match but sadly Joao Elias and Leandre Bizagwira are out of contention."

Thursday sees another potentially explosive encounter take place with bitter rivals Egypt and Algeria clashing in Sousse while defending champions Cameroon face Zimbabwe in the other Group C match in Sfax.