Democratic Republic of Congo thrashed Zimbabwe 4-0 in their final Africa Cup of Nations group stage clash on Sunday.
Zimbabwe gave a start to Elvis Chipezeze as Goerge Chigova got injured in the warm-up, while Chancel Mbemba, Chadrac Akolo and Youssouf Mulumbu returned for the DRC.
The DRC made a dream start as early the fourth minute when Jonathan Bolingi capitalised on poor handling from Chipezeze to head home from close-range.
Zimbabwe started applying pressure after the 20th minute mark, with Khama Billiat's volley flashing wide of the far post. A little later, Cedric Bakambu skimmed the top of the crossbar with a shot from range after opening space inside the area.
DRC piled further misery in to the Zimbabweans 10 minutes to halftime after Bakambu finished off a fast-paced counter-attack to find the roof of the net.
Unlike the first half, the Warriors made a strong start in the second half, posing a couple of threats in the final third. Nyasha Mushekwi entered for Talent Chawapihwa 52 minutes in, with the Zimbabweans desperate for a goal to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
However, Congo managed to bag the third goal five minutes after the hour mark with a well-taken penalty kick from Bakambu following a foul inside the penalty area.
Zimbabwe looked to halve the deficit four minutes later, but Knowledge Musona's free-kick curled next to the post from 20-yards. The DRC grabbed a fourth in the final 12 minutes after Britt Assombalonga pounced on poor anticipation from Chipezeze to slot home from close range.
It was inevitably the final straw, as the Zimbabweans head home while the DRC keep their aspirations to the knockout stages alive and could advance as one of the best third-place sides.