African Nations Cup: Elephants Blank Cameroon To Advance To Quarterfinals; 1-1 Draw Forces Draw Of Lots Between Guinea And Mali

Groups-stage play in the African Nations Cup concluded with two games contested in Group D in Equatorial Guinea.

At Malabo:

Mark Alain Gradel scored the only goal of the match in the 36th minute as Ivory Coast defeated Cameroon and won Group D and a berth in the quarterfinal round.

At Mongomo:

Modibo Maiga's equalizer in the 47th minute lifted Mali to a 1-1 stalemate with Guinea, forcing a draw of lots set for Thursday at Mongomo for the right to enter the tournament's quarterfinal round.  Kevin Constant successfully converted a penalty kick in the 15th minute for the Guineans. 

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Ivory Coast (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. Guinea (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
    Mali (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Cameroon (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)

Ivory Coast advanced to the quarterfinal round.  Guinea and Mali, tied on head-to-head record, overall goal difference, and overall goals scored, will take part in a drawing of lots on Thursday for the right to advance to the knockout stage.

Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:

Saturday:

At Bata:

Republic of Congo vs. Democratic Republic of Congo

Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea



Sunday:

At Malabo:

Ivory Coast vs. Algeria

At Ghana vs. Guinea or Mali