The Democratic Republic of Congo became Cameroon's latest victims losing 2-0 to a virtual second-string side in their final African Nations Cup Group B match.
However, despite conceding goals to Geremi and the irresistible Samuel Eto'o - his fifth of the tournament - and being reduced to 10 men for the last 25 minutes they progressed to the last eight by the benefit of slightly better goal difference than Angola.
Artur Jorge made sweeping changes to the Cameroon side bringing in seven new starters in place of the previous line-up against Togo while Claude Le Roy contented himself with just one change replacing the suspended Tresor Mputu with Blaise Mbele.
The change in personnel didn't appear to affect their rhythm in the early stages as Geremi slipped in Benoit Angbwa but his shot was saved by Pascal Kalemba.
Congo hit back almost immediately as Cameroon allowed Kinkela Fwanda to run at them and didn't offer a challenge, he passed inside to Zola Matumona but his shot from outside the area went straight at Carlos Kameni and the 'keeper safely took it.
Kalemba had to be at his best in the 14th minute as Alioum Saidou had a go from long distance but his rasping drive was turned round the post for a corner.
Eto'o had been content to play provider but eventually he let his shooting instincts get the better of him and in the 16th minute he let fly from the right but it went into the sidenetting.
The Congolese world came apart in two minutes of the first-half as first Kalemba was beaten by a fierce shot by Geremi in the 32nd minute after a freekick had been awarded against Felicien Kalundi - who misses the next match.
Then just as the DRC were trying to gather themselves they were hit again as a lofted ball over the defence found Eto'o in acres of space - though he looked miles offside - but the Barca hitman didn't bat an eyelid and his shot trickled into the net after Kalemba got a hand to it.
The second-half opened in similar fashion as despite Le Roy bringing on two pairs of fresh legs Eto'o rattled the bar with a freekick.
LuaLua then created a chance out of nothing for DRC as the skipper produced a remarkable piece of skill and found Biscotte Mbala free in the penalty area but he sliced his shot high and wide.
Kalemba was extremely fortunate not to be sent off in the 67th minute as he dashed from his area and brought Pierre Webo down - the Malian referee Koman Coulibaly reached for his pocket - and issued a yellow card instead.
However, there was no such succour for Bokese three minutes later as he hacked down Webo and then, while both were lying on the ground he swung his leg round and kicked him in the chest.
Webo almost made them pay an even heavier price in the 81st minute as his superb volley from six metres out hit the bar and flew to safety.
