Afcon 2015: Cameroon v Guinea

1. Traore scores equaliser after good skill
2. All three Group D games have been 1-1
3. Ivory Coast draw with Mali in early game
4. Gradel sweeps home late leveller

Goodbye

We're done here, after what in my opinion was arguably the best day of Afcon 2015 so far. If you dropped in on a day of massive footballing action elsewhere, our sincere thanks.

We're back tomorrow when we will decide our first two quarter-finalists in Group A. See you then at the slightly later time of 17:00 GMT.

BBC Sport

And before we go, a quick look at that group. Not much to say - it literally could not be tighter. Win the last match and your through, basically.

We think that if there is one positive result and one draw in the final round of fixtures, the teams that draw will finish equal second and will have to be separated by the drawing of lots to decide who qualifies.

Bring. It. On.

BBC Sport

A very even game. Guinea shaded possession despite being under the cosh for much of the second period, but Cameroon had more efforts.

A finely-balanced contest fitting of this closely-fought group.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"Really enjoyed that game and it has left this group wonderfully poised.

"The Cameroon v Ivory Coast game here in Malabo on Wednesday will be something special.

"Will we see 'the real' Ivory Coast as Kolo Toure told me?

"There's not much in it but Cameroon have probably been the best of the four, although Guinea have a strong claim to that too."

FULL-TIME

All over in Malabo. Cameroon will wonder how they failed to win that, spurning two gilt-edged chances, but they could equally have conceded a penalty at the death.

Benjamin Moukandjo's early goal was deservedly cancelled out by Ibrahima Traore's cracking strike. Guinea faded in the second half but came on strong right at the end. Overall, a draw probably a fair result.

And now Guinea want a penalty! Ibrahima Conte surges into the box and is brought down by Raoul Loe as he bears down on the keeper. Cameroon have got away with one there...Three minutes added.

CLOSE!

And from it Cameroon miss a glorious opportunity to score the winner. Eric Choupo-Moting's delivery is flicked on and falls perfectly onto the forehead of Stephane Mbia, but the captain steers his header wide from four yards. Unbelievable miss.

Now it's Guinea's turn to give away a dangerous free-kick as Abdoulaye Cisse needlessly brings down Eric Choupo-Moting...

Oh, that's criminal. Ibrahima Conte sees his name in lights, and smacks a giddy effort over the crossbar. Wasteful.

Guinea are coming back into this though. A quick free-kick sends Ibrahima Conte down the left, and his cross hits Edgar Salli's hand. Free-kick right on the edge of the area...

CLOSE!

Again Cameroon pick the Guinea defence apart! A delicious through-ball from Eric Choupo-Moting unlocks the defence, Franck Etoundi squares it to the near post, where only brave goalkeeping from Naby Yattara denies Edgar Salli. The keeper takes a while to get to his feet after taking a clattering there.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"Franck Etoundi is on! About time too. He won the cup with FC Zurich last season, that may or may not be relevant but he has looked promising every time I've seen him."

SUBSTITUTION

Franck Etoundi, brother of Cameroon skipper Stephane Mbia, is on. Porto striker Vincent Aboubakar, who has been well below his best, departs.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"If this ends 1-1 there is going to be the possibility for a brilliant equation when it comes to the final games.

"Drawing of lots is a real possibility bearing in mind all four games would have ended with the same scoreline.

"A four-way tie would be even more bizarre. Reasonably sure that in that circumstance the captains then play Twister to decide."

CLOSE!

Finally an opening for Guinea, and how well they work it! A deep cross is recovered at the back post by Mohamed Yattara, who feeds Naby Keita but the substitute blazes over from seven yards. That's a big miss.

Guinea are showing very little ambition here. They're just sitting back and letting Cameroon come at them. Dangerous game. Benjamin Moukandjo, an absolute Duracell bunny of a player, plays a neat give-and-go with Eric Choupo-Moting and is unlucky to see his cross ricochet for a goalkick.

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Aidan Smith: I predict a Cameroon winner by Aurelien Chedjou. Quality full-back.

All Cameroon now. Henri Bedimo raids down the left again, his cut-back is deflected to the the edge of the area, where Edgar Salli's shot is well blocked by Fode Camara.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"Our friend from the 39th minute with the 'Je suis Samuel Eto'o' sign has added Alex Song to his piece of A4.

"So in case you haven't kept up... he's both Samuel Eto'o and Alex Song.

"He only holds it up when they miss a chance, perhaps because every missed chance is a reminder of who he wishes were in the team?

"Trying to work out who he'll be next, I think he'll be Roger Milla."

SUBSTITUTION

Seydouba Soumah has put a shift in for Guinea, and now he's off - Naby Keita of Red Bull Salzburg replaces him.

CLOSE!

Would you believe it, Aboubakar has missed another one, and it's an absolute sitter. Wing-back Henri Bedimo is sprung into space down the left, he sends in a perfect cross which cuts out the onrushing keeper and Aboubakar somehow manages to glance it wide of the gaping net. A huge let-off for Guinea.

Cameroon are starting to create chances now. Benjamin Moukandjo sweeps a cross into the area from the right, and Vincent Aboubakar, who hasn't really got into this game, completely misses the bouncing ball under no pressure.

SUBSTITUTION

First change for Cameroon. Ambroise Oyongo makes way for Jerome Guihoata.

And another great opportunity for Cameroon. A long free-kick is hoisted into the area, Guinea don't attack the ball at the back post and Stephane Mbia and Raoul Loe contrive to get in each other's way to mess up a free header.

CLOSE!

Cameroon have the best chance of the second half. Eric Choupo-Moting spreads the ball to Benjamin Moukandjo on the right wing, and his low centre is so nearly turned in by Edgar Salli at the near post.

It's a slow-burning second half so far. Seydouba Soumah drives infield for Guinea but tries to play his through-ball too early and Aurelien Chedjou intercepts.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"There is a ticking time bomb in the stands just in front of us. A Guinea fan wearing a vest of his national colours and a Cameroon supporter in an NBA jersey will not leave each other alone.

"Back on the pitch hopefully it's a matter of time before we Stephane Mbia's brother Franck Etoundi.

"They hadn't seen each other in 10 years prior to Etoundi's first call up in November, Stephane told me Franck will be one of Africa's best players in the coming years."

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Carol Markovicz: Guinea did well against Ivory Coast. But i still think that Cameroon will win.

Incidentally, there have now been 30 goals in this tournament, and 30 different scorers. It's a 29-way tie for the golden boot (there's been one own goal). Substitute Abdoulaye Cisse makes a good tackle to halt Edgar Salli's progress in the Guinea box.

And now Ibrahima Traore is hurt. Stephane Mbia goes in with a crunching tackle, and he takes a naughty little kick at the Guinea skipper for good measure. He should see yellow. Luckily, Traore is back on his feet.

CLOSE!

From the corner, Cameroon don't clear their lines, and they so nearly pay the price! Ibrahima Traore picks up the ball on the right and tries an audacious curling effort which just floats beyond the upright with the keeper beaten.

A good switch from Kevin Constant brings in Ibrahima Conte on the right. His attempted cross is flicked behind for a corner.

KICK-OFF

And we're off again in Malabo. It looks like Guinea's Mohamed Sankoh may have moved into the centre from right-back.

Just to remind you, this would be the fourth successive 1-1 in this group if the scoreline stays the same. If we then had two more 1-1s in the final round of group matches, the qualifiers would be decided by the drawing of lots.

We all want to see that, right?

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

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"One of the best halves of the tournament so far for my money. Looking around lots of Ivory Coast and Mali fans have stuck around to see the second match. I've seen quite a few Equatorial Guinea shirts too, that's precisely what this tournament needs.

"In bars* in both Bata and Malabo they've been more likely to watch highlights of La Liga games than a live Africa Cup of Nations match (their own games aside)."

*Purely for research purposes.

HALF-TIME

All square at the break in Malabo. A half that really livened up towards the end, and 1-1 is a fair reflection of what's been an even game so far.

SUBSTITUTION

Two minutes added. Florentin Pogba is not going to be able to continue - Abdoulaye Cisse is on to win his second cap.

OUCH!

Florentin Pogba of Guinea could be in trouble here. He aims an air-shot at a cruelly bobbling ball and he seems to have over-extended himself. The medical cart is on - he looks in some distress.

GOAL

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Guinea are back in the game, and this goal is all about one man - skipper Ibrahima Traore. The Borussia Monchengladbach man receives the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, three men around him - but he shows lovely skill to turn neatly and without lifting his head he sends a fizzing low strike right into the far corner of the net. Great goal.

Cameroon winger Eric Choupo-Moting, who has been in excellent form for Schalke this season, coaxes the ball into Benjamin Moukandjo just inside the box. The striker drops his shoulder and rolls an effort just wide of the far post, though the linesman's flag was up.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"I've seen a couple of fans here with Samuel Eto'o-related signs. One supporter has new captain 'Mbia' on the back of his shirt and a handwritten piece of A4 paper that reads 'Je suis Samuel Eto'o.'

"Mbia told me before the tournament he'd asked Eto'o for his advice on taking over from him as captain but he's modelling his style of leadership on another famous skipper... Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard."

BBC

CLOSE!

Now Ibrahima Traore comes to life! The Guinea winger makes a super run, peeling off the centre-back into the inside-left channel, latches onto an excellent through-ball from Kevin Constant and draws a sharp save from Joseph Ondoa.

Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar receives the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the box and leaves Fode Camara on his backside but he scuffs his shot wide.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"There is not wifi at all here in Malabo but the gentlemen of the written press have kindly let me piggyback their internet. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to speak or not but I can tell you that at 1-0 the Cameroon fans are not celebrating yet. Some very concerned looks from the crowd at Stephane Mbia gets back on his feet, they absolutely love him and his absence was obvious in the first match."

Guinea forward Seydouba Soumah shows fantastic desire to attack a hanging cross from the right - he gets on top of Nicolas N'Koulou but can't steer his header on target.

Twitter

DR Congo and Peterborough defender Gabriel Zakuani ‏on Twitter: "Finally got wifi out in our 5 star accommodation here in Eq Guinea, great win for us today at Notts County! #Butlins"

YELLOW CARD

That early goal hasn't really sparked this match into life as we might have hoped. Both sides have been rather sloppy on the ball. Guinea's Boubacar Fofana at least provides us with something to talk about by clattering into Stephane Mbia and earning himself a place in the referee's notebook.

BBC World Service's Farayi Mungazi: I've never understood why Fifa turned down Cameroon's request to retire the number 17 jersey back in 2003 after Marc Vivien Foe's death.

Again Chedjou chooses the safety-first option as heads Florentin Pogba's long ball out for a corner. From the corner, Raoul Loe does really well to prevent the cross reaching Fode Camara at the back stick.

Joseph Ondoa looks rather rattled by that incident - he sends a goal-kick straight out of play. Guinea danger man Ibrahima Traore hasn't really got his teeth into this one yet. But his side almost fashion a chance, as Kevin Constant's attempted through-ball just eludes Mohamed Yattara - Aurelien Chedjou comes across to intercept well.

Now, what's happened here? Guinea forward Mohamed Yattara nips in as Cameroon keeper Joseph Ondoa takes a heavy touch from a backpass, but the keeper recovers well. However, replays show the keeper's challenge was heavy - it should have been a penalty, but instead the young Barcelona B stopper gets a free-kick. Lucky boy.

Guinea have looked lifeless so far, but perhaps that goal will sting them into action. Seydouba Soumah robs Ambroise Oyongo on halfway and bustles his way into the penalty area, but Nicholas N'Koulou does well to shut the door on him.

GOAL

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What a way to take the lead. Cameroon win a corner, it's whipped into the near post by Benjamin Moukandjo and with no-one on the post, Guinea keeper Naby Yattara can only palm it into the roof of the net. Aurelien Chedjou tries to claim a flick on it, but that didn't touch anybody - it's Moukandjo's goal direct from the corner.

Cameroon cause problems from the corner too. A deep delivery is headed back across goal by Aurelien Chedjou, Aboubakar swings at it and his mistimed volley is nearly headed in by Stephane Mbia.

GREAT SAVE!

And Cameroon break quickly upfield and nearly take the lead. Henri Bedimo canters into acres of space on the left, picks out Vincent Aboubakar in the middle and his crisp strike is heading for the bottom corner until Naby Yattara plunges to his right to tip it wide.

Guinea have started to play the ball around with confidence. Boubacar Fofana bustles his way to the byline, but Aurelien Chedjou comes out quickly to block the cross. Cameroon clear the corner at the near post.

A terrible ball out of defence by Guinea's Florentin Pogba - brother of Juventus star Paul - lets in Edgar Salli, but he doesn't make the most of it, trying to take his man on rather than squaring across the face of goal. A wasted opening.

A rather slow start to this match. An embarrassing moment for Cameroon wing-back Henri Bedimo as he sloppily miscontrols an easy pass straight into touch. Neither team has really settled so far.

KICK-OFF

Mohamed Sankoh says a quick prayer for Guinea, and we're off. Cameroon, playing in green, get us going, with Guinea in white. Can one of these teams seize control of this group?

Cameroon, we're told, are playing a back three, with skipper Stephane Mbia dropping back into defence to partner Nicolas N'Koulou and Aurelien Chedjou. One change for Guinea, who bring in Seydouba Soumah on the left wing.

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Are Cameroon potential tournament winners even without Samuel Eto'o? Should they have kept him sweet or was his time rightly up?

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Anthem time in Malabo. Cameroon first, with the very poetically titled effort 'O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers'. Guinea up next with the comparatively snappy 'Freedom'. Not the George Michael number, disappointingly.

Sampdoria on Twitter

Italian Serie A side Sampdoria have tweeted a picture of Cameroon legend Samuel Eto'o, whom they are set to sign from Everton.

Eto'o retired from international football after the World Cup, when he was dropped from the squad and lost the captaincy to Stephane Mbia.

The 33-year-old is the leading all-time scorer in the Nations Cup with 18 goals.

Will they miss him today?

Guinea look to cause shock

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Speaking of Ibrahima Traore, here he is talking up his team's chances.

"It's really important for us because we know that if we win this game we will make a big step to qualify. But it won't be easy because Cameroon is a really good team, so we have to defend well first, and then play better up front - use the ball well, as we can do, play simple, and create as many chances as possible, because we didn't get that many chances against Ivory Coast. But I'm confident that we will play better, and that we'll do everything to win this game."

Guinea were impressive in their first game - claiming a 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast.

Cameroon wary of Traore

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Cameroon were dreadful at the World Cup, but they've been much improved since that low point under boss Volker Finke, who has dispensed with some of the underperforming elder statesmen in his squad.

The Indomitable Lions were almost tamed in their first match, needing a late equaliser to claim a point against Mali, but they will go top of this group with a win against Guinea tonight.

Finke believes that stopping Guinea winger Ibrahima Traore is key to achieving the desired result.

He said: "There is one key player who is playing in the German Bundesliga: Ibrahima Traore, who plays on the right side with his left foot. He is really quick, with good technique, and he's key for Guinea's qualification [hopes]."

LINE-UPS

Cameroon: Ondoa, N'Koulou, Oyongo, Chedjou, Mbia, Bedimo, Loe, Choupo-Moting, Salli, Aboubakar, Moukandjo. Subs: Ndy Assembe, Kweuke, Guihoata, N'Jie, Bagnack, Mandjeck, Djeugoue, Kom, Ekeng Ekeng, Abogo.

Guinea: Naby-Moussa Yattara, Pogba, Sankoh, Fode Camara, Issiaga Sylla, Constant, Conte, Fofana, Soumah, Mohamed Yattara, Traore. Subs: Abdul Aziz Keita, Zayatte, Abdoul Camara, Landel, Idrissa Sylla, Cisse, Lanfia Camara, Naby Keita, Kamano, Diarra, Paye, Aboubacar Camara.

Referee: Hailemelak Tessema (Ethiopia)

Now we turn our attentions to Cameroon's match against Guinea, which begins in 30 minutes.

The winner of this game takes total control of the group.

Player reaction

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

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"Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure tells me in the mixed zone that we will see the real Ivory Coast in the final group game against Cameroon."

BBC

Adjoguening is a Equatoguinean rapper who raps about inequality in the Africa Cup of Nations host nation. You can listen to him on the BBC World Service Sportshour Podcast.

The game in stats

Ivory Coast are now unbeaten in 13 Africa Cup of Nations group games, winning nine of them.

They had 13 shots but only two of them were on target.

Wilfried Bony had five shots but none of them were on target.

Mali took the lead after six minutes but only had one shot in the second half.

The rules have actually been tweaked this year. In the last tournament the deciding factor after head to head, goal difference etc was fair play.

How do I remember that? Well for a few seconds in the 2013 Group A it looked like it was going to come down to yellow cards...

BBC

So we are halfway through Group D and every game has been a 1-1 draw? What happens if that pattern continues for the final three matches in the group?

Well... the two teams to progress would be decided by "a drawing of lots conducted by the Organising Committee".

BBC Sport

Group D remains desperately tight following a third successive 1-1 draw. Mali and Ivory Coast will have to win their final match to be sure of progressing. Cameroon or Guinea can seize control of this group with a win in the later match.

BBC Sport

Ivory Coast dominated possession, but coach Herve Renard will be disappointed with a return of just two shots on target that reflects a lack of fluency in his much-vaunted forward line.

Mali scored a fine goal and thereafter were content to play on the break, but they just couldn't hold out.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"The Ivory Coast fans clad in orange are dancing on the opposite side of the stadium, Mali supporters don't look disappointed at all though despite the late goal. Cameroon fans seem happiest of all! A win over Guinea and they will be in control of the section."

FULL-TIME

And that's the last act of the match. A stuttering performance from Ivory Coast, though they did have the better of the second half and probably deserved their equaliser, not least for the tireless industry of Serge Aurier on the right flank.

Mali will be disappointed to have conceded that late leveller, but they remain well in contention in this group.

Salomon Kalou digs out a cross from the right, and Sambou Yatabare knocks it out for a corner. Can Ivory Coast win it here? Nope, Berthe claims well.

Cheick Tiote is back on, but he's moving like a sloth with a trick hip. The sides look as though they've settled for a draw here.

SUBSTITUTION

On-loan West Ham man Modibo Maiga is on for Mali, replacing Mustapha Yatabare. Cheick Tiote is down again, getting a bit of treatment, and it looks like he's going off. Herve Renard looks less than enamoured with that decision.

Cheick Tiote is still feeling the effects of that challenge. He's limping, but he'll have to carry on - Ivory Coast have made all their changes. Six minutes added.

YELLOW CARD

Mustapha Yatabare makes a crunching tackle on Cheick Tiote. Yacouba Sylla has something to say about the decision, and the referee takes his name.

GOAL

A fine move may just have rescued a point for Ivory Coast. Serge Aurier has been terrific for Ivory Coast, and he's at the heart of this. The right-back latches onto a fine ball inside the full-back from Yaya Toure and plays a pinpoint cut-back into the path of Max Gradel, who fires low beyond Germain Berthe.

Up in the stands, the suspended Gervinho punches the air in delight. His tournament may not be over after all.

SUBSTITUTION

Double substitution for Ivory Coast. Salomon Kalou and Gadji Tallo are introduced, replacing Wilfried Bony and Wilfried Kanon.

YELLOW CARD

Cheick Tiote goes into the referee's notebook for a late lunge on Mamoutou N'Diaye. He will be suspended for Ivory Coast's final group match.

BBC

CLOSE!

Chances at both ends! First Mali nearly profit when Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo makes an absolute hash of a right-wing cross and Wilfried Kanon has to hook the ball away as the Mali attackers loom. Then Serge Aurier makes a superb driving run into the Mai area but can't play in Max Gradel. Frenetic end to this match.

SUBSTITUTION

Bakary Sako of Wolves, who has played very well for Mali for the second straight game, is hooked. Tongo Doumbia of Toulouse is on in his place.

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Tajah Morgan: Well these African teams are very unpredictable... in terms of playing together and consistently winning matches. With Ivory Coast it's a similar thing... but we will see. (My pick is Algeria v Ivory Coast final)

HANDBAGS

Mali forward Sambou Yatabare is the victim of a clumsy challenge by Bertrand Bailly, and he takes exception, squaring up to the Ivorian centre-back. The referee steps in to defuse the situation.

Immediately Ivory Coast go up the other end and win a corner. It's swung in by Yaya Toure, but Wilfried Bony mistimes his leap in the centre and the opportunity passes.

AP

Wolves winger Bakary Sako is the man to inject some energy, surging down the left for Mali and beating two men, but his cross is gathered by Sylvain Gbohouo.

Germain Berthe plays for Malian club Onze Createurs and has one previous cap to his name. Expect plenty of stoppage time as that was a very long interruption. Unsurprisingly, there's distinct lack of tempo as the game restarts.

SUBSTITUTION

Mali are taking an absolute age to make a change that seems inevitable. The substitute keepers haven't even got their tracksuits off yet. The stretcher is on for Soumaila Diakite, and finally, 21-year-old Germain Berthe trots on to replace him.

It looks like Mali keeper Soumaila Diakite is going to have to come off. He's somehow picked up an injury and he's crying his eyes out as the physios rush out to check on him. What a shame for the Eagles number one. Mali's two substitute keepers are 21 and 20 years old respectively - a big test for them.

Mali again look to spring a counter as Ivory Coast over-commit, but Sambou Yatabare overhits his pass with right-back Drissa Diakite steaming into acres of space on the flank. Wasteful.

CLOSE!

And from the free-kick, Siaka Tiene's peachy delivery is flicked on by Wilfried Bony at the near post, but there's no-one to turn it in at the back stick. Mali are under the cosh at the moment.

YELLOW CARD

Mali defender Adama Tamboura goes into the book for poking out a leg to stop the run of Serge Aurier.

Tricksy play from Max Gradel on the edge of the area draws in three Malian defenders and opens up space for Yaya Toure, whose shot is well blocked by Salif Coulibaly.

Seydou Keita hoists a free kick into the area for Mali, it breaks to Sambou Yatabare wide right but his low cross is comfortably gathered by Ivory Coast keeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

Can Ivory Coast find a goal?

Mali are penned in their own half now - they look happy to play on the break here. A long period of Ivorian pressure ends with Serge Aurier slicing over when a defensive header falls to him on the edge of the box.

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Is this Ivory Coast's last chance for success? Have your say on our Facebook page.

Kebby Chintole Chipunza: Last chance though I don't think Didier Drogba has ever been a factor for he has never led his country to any glory.

CLOSE!

Serge Aurier, who has been Ivory Coast's best player so far, plays it into Max Gradel on the edge of the penalty area. He scoops it into Wilfried Bony, who gets power on the header but directs it just wide of the right-hand goalpost. Better from Ivory Coast.

Ivory Coast are committing men forward and they look exposed at the back when Mali break. Kolo Toure just manages to snuff out a promising counter-attack led by Sambou Yatabare. We could be in for a cracking secod half.

Mali have started this second half on the front foot. A cross from Mustapha Yatabare flashes across an empty penalty area. Ivory Coast look like they're effectively playing three up top, with Max Gradel and Wilfried Bony either side of Seydou Doumbia.

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Laura Olivier: Re: the back pass (39 mins). It's called circumventing the laws of the game. Indirect free-kick and yellow card should be applied.

KICK-OFF

So, a big 45 minutes in store for Ivory Coast. We're back under way...

Another shock on the cards?

It seems we've been rather upstaged by events in the FA Cup this afternoon, but let's not forget, a win for Mali here would be a real shock.

Mali are ranked 49th in the world, 21 places below Ivory Coast, and have never won the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast are among the bookmakers' favourites for this year's competition, but defeat here would leave them on one point from two matches and staring down the barrel of an early exit.

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Your thoughts on Ivory Coast over on our Facebook page.

Rayan De Rapperdict: Ivory coast are the England of Africa - full of talent but.......

Richman Mutenhesanwa Mhofu Gurumombe: Bunch of losers

Paul Beat Box Kruz: They would have won it under another coach, Herve Renard only knows how to coach Zambia, Sochaux, Angola

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BBC Sport's Alex South in Abidjan: "If you can't get to Equatorial Guinea then for Ivory Coast fans this is as good as it gets.

"Some 3,000 supporters have come to this fan park in the middle of the capital Abidjan, it's been full for a few hours and they haven't stopped singing and dancing.

"Everyone here is only hoping for one result and that's a win for the Ivory Coast."

HALF-TIME

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Half-time in Malabo. Ivory Coast have had must of the possession, but they haven't made any real inroads into the Mali defence following Bakary Sako's superb opener. Yet again, the Elephants are in danger of falling short at the Cup of Nations.

Two added minutes. Siaka Tiene swings it out to Max Gradel on the edge of the area, but his delivery hits the defender with Wilfried Bony and Seydou Doumbia screaming for it in the centre.

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Kinfre Mfred: Toure is absent! He is getting live feeds from Etihad.

Yaya Toure's club, Manchester City, are losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.

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Mamadi Sirleaf: Surely there will be no titles for this so-called Ivorian generation, Drogba, Zokora, Gervinho, Kalou and the Toure brothers failed.

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It's laid off for Bakary Sako, but the onrushing Ivorians get a good block in. Some dispute in the BBC Sport office over whether that free-kick decision was correct - anyone out there able to enlighten us?

This is controversial. Ivory Coast centre-back Bertrand Bailly flicks the ball up and heads it back to his keeper, but the referee deems it a backpass and awards an indirect free-kick. The Ivorians are incensed, and I think they have a case. Can Mali conjure something from the free-kick just inside the area?

SUBSTITUTION

Ismael Diomande is off, and his Saint-Etienne colleague Max Gradel enters, his ears ringing with tactical bellowings from Herve Renard. Not sure whether Diomande is injured.

The Elephants are on top here. Siake Tiene delivers a great ball from the left, Seydou Doumbia creeps in behind the defence and fluffs his lines from six yard out. The linesman's flag goes up, sparing his blushes, but replays show the CSKA striker had timed his run perfectly.

So close for Ivory Coast! A corner is given for the head tackle on Wilfried Bony. The kick comes in and Kolo Toure thuds a header which is saved by keeper Soumaila Diakite. Ivory Coast are pressing hard now.

PENALTY APPEAL

Wilfried Bony kills an aerial ball on the edge of the area and turns Molla Wague inside-out with a superb piece of skill. Wague tumbles headlong to the floor straight into the path of Bony, impeding the striker with his head as he falls. A strange challenge, but it probably should have been a spot-kick.

Wilfried Bony turns well and feeds a rampaging Serge Aurier down the right, but the full-back's delivery is just behind Seydou Doumbia and when the ball eventually trickles out to Siaka Tiene he slips over before he can get a shot away.

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We asked on our Facebook page if this was the last chance for Ivory Coast to win something.

Mark Sims: Ivory Coast won't go anywhere. This year's cup is unpredictable!

Usman Haroon: Probably it is their last chance

Mali are pressing the ball high up the field to good effect. A square pass invites pressure on left-back Wilfried Kanon and two Malians harry him into an error. Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard is going absolutely postal on the edge of the whitewash.

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Festus Abrah-Yeboah: Stubborn Elephants (Ivory Coast)... just like a herd of cattle, they always get lost where it matters most!

A clumsy challenge on Siaka Tiene from Drissa Diakite gives Ivory Coast a free-kick. Tiene's delivery is good but Mali are back in numbers and head clear. Ivory Coast knock it back into the danger area though, and when a cross from the left is cleverly knocked back across goal by Wilfried Bony, Seydou Doumbia hooks an acrobatic volley wide. Better from the Elephants.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

"Mali's fans are loving this. There's a huge immigrant population here... one supporter came wandering by playing a guitar. Why not, eh?"

Serge Aurier certainly doesn't look shy of getting forward. He stays up and when Seydou Keita crosses from the left, the PSG man does well to get in front of his man but can only direct his header over.

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Mike in London: On the curse of orange (18 mins)... The Denver Broncos, losers of last year's Super Bowl, crashed hard again this year.

That's better from Ivory Coast. Right-back Serge Aurier, who has looked bright so far, steams forward on the overlap and sends in a low cross that Mali keeper Soumaila Diakite turns behind at the near post. Mali defend the corner well.

Again Ivory Coast give it away cheaply at the back as Mustapha Yatabare nips in to rob Kolo Toure. The move comes to nothing, but Herve Renard will be concerned at how lethargic his team have looked in possession.

The curse of orange?

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Ivory Coast's record of underachievement got me thinking - does playing in orange condemn you to failure?

The Netherlands have a very similar history of lavishly talented teams that never quite manage to get it done on the biggest stages. The likes of Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp have all played in the famous orange, but the Dutch are still waiting for a World Cup title.

Golfer Rickie Fowler also likes to dress in head-to-toe orange on the final day of Majors - and despite five top-five finishes, guess what, he's still yet to win one of the game's biggest prizes.

Can anyone chip in with any examples of successful orange-clad sportsmen?

No love lost between these two teams so far - Mali skipper Seydou Keita is incensed as Siaka Tiene peskily clips his heels. A hopeful punt over the top momentarily sows confusion in the Mali defence, but Drissa Diakite does well to hold off Seydou Doumbia and let the ball bounce behind.

Mali have a free-kick, and a nervy-looking Ivorian defence fail to get it clear. The ball is eventually rolled in to Sambou Yatabare, whose shot on the spin is blocked by Kolo Toure.

That was the 26th goal of this Africa Cup of Nations, and I'd wager it might be the best so far. Ivory Coast have responded well though - Serge Aurier scampers forward from right-back and it needs a tough tackle from Adama Tamboura to halt his progress.

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Peter Mesias Kambala: The man who won the Afcon in 2012 is here, in white, but not with Chipolopolo. Can he win it this time?

Ivory Coast boss Herve Renard was Zambia coach when they won the tournament three years ago.

Ivory Coast get up the other end immediately, and a near post cross elicits a corner. Mali clear their lines though, and almost break again through the pacy Sambou Yatabare. Breathless start in Malabo.

GOAL

BBC

Mali strike early, and what a fine goal it is! Ismael Diomande is dispossessed in the centre of the park, and the Eagles break at pace. Mustapha Yatabare brings it away, spreads it to his brother Sambou on the right, he curls in a cross to the back stick and Wolves' Bakary Sako arrives at pace to meet it with a crisp volley into the bottom corner. What a start for the underdogs.

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Mali zip a free-kick into the edge of the area and it loops up for Sambou Yatabare to head, but he's penalised for climbing over Ivory Coast left-back Wilfried Kanon. Elephants boss Herve Renard is already screaming instructions on the touchline.

An early attack for Ivory Coast ends with a cross looping tantalisingly over the head of Wilfried Bony at the near post. It looks like an attacking formation from Ivory Coast, with three at the back.

KICK-OFF

We're off! Ivory Coast, in orange, get the ball rolling. Mali are in white. These two faced each other in the semi-final last time this tournament was played in Equatorial Guinea, in 2012.

Ivory Coast make two changes. Gervinho is suspended and Serey Die drops out - Seydou Doumbia, who scored against Guinea, comes in alongside Saint Etienne's Ismael Diomande. Mali are unchanged.

The skippers Yaya Toure and Seydou Keita, who of course know each other well from their time at Barcelona, exchange pennants. We're ready to go in Malabo...

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo

BBC

In this photo taken long before kick-off, somewhere behind the clouds over the main stand is Pico Basile, a volcano which is the highest point of the island.

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So Didier Drogba may be gone and many of their key players are approaching or in their 30s so is this Ivory Coast's last chance to win something? Or has that ship already sailed?

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LINE-UPS

Ivory Coast: Gbohouo, Kanon, Tiene, Aurier, Kolo Toure, Bailly, Tiote, Yaya Toure, Diomande, Bony, Doumbia. Subs: Barry, Viera, Roger, Doukoure, Tallo, Akpa Akpro, Gradel, Traore, Die, Sayouba.

Mali: Soumbeyla Diakite, Drissa Diakite, Tamboura, Salif Coulibaly, Wague, Sylla, N'Diaye, Keita, Sako, Sambou Yatabare, Mustapha Yatabare. Subs: Berthe, Diawara, Idrissa Coulibaly, Doumbia, Mohamed Traore, Diarra, Ousmane Coulibaly, Diaby, Konate, Maiga, Abdou Traore, Samake.

Referee: Bouchaib El Ahrach (Morocco)

Mali boss faces familiar foe

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Mali meanwhile were more impressive in their opening match, holding Cameroon to a 1-1 draw in a match they could easily have won.

The Eagles may not be one of the competition's fancied sides but they do boast Roma veteran Seydou Keita and Wolves livewire Bakary Sako in an eclectic midfield.

Another man you may recognise is Mali coach Henryk Kasperczak. The Pole is one of that apparently ageless breed of itinerant Euro-managers who seem to have managed just about every African side going. Among the other teams on lengthy CV are (deep breath) Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal and today's opponents Ivory Coast.

Elephants look to Yaya

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With the now-retired Didier Drogba watching this match at home with his pipe and slippers, the mantle of Ivory Coast talisman falls squarely in the not-inconsiderable shoulders of Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Elephants got off to a rather lacklustre start in Equatorial Guinea, drawing their first game against Guinea 1-1. They trailed to a Mohammed Yattara goal and had Gervinho sent off before Seydou Doumbia's goal rescued a point they barely merited.

And now Ivory Coast's manager, the archetypally good-looking Frenchman Herve Renard, says Yaya Toure has to step up.

"He has a big responsibility now," said Renard. "He has the armband of the captain. He has to bring everyone behind him. I expect a better second game from him than the first. If he is not able to improve his level it will be very difficult for our team."

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of day eight of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations!

Today we turn our attentions to Group D as we bring the second round of group-stage fixtures to a close. Later on we'll see how Guinea get on against Cameroon, but first up it's perpetual underachievers Ivory Coast against Mali.

All four teams are currently on one point, so a win today would put any of these sides in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.

Always the bridesmaid

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Here in England we're all too familiar with the frustrations of following a golden generation. The agonies of watching a squad replete with top-class talent underperform time and again at the big international tournaments.

But we are not alone. Spare a thought for Ivory Coast fans. For years the Elephants have seemed destined to trample their continental opponents underfoot on their way to Afcon glory. With the likes of Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers and Salomon Kalou on the teamsheet, illustrious names that most African sides can only dream of, success on the international has seemed assured.

And yet, more than a decade after those names first came on the scene and with Drogba now retired, success continues to elude this generation of Ivorian stars. Narrow defeats in the 2006 and 2012 Afcon finals have only intensified the agony.

But hope is not lost. Drogba may have gone, but the emergence of Wilfried Bony and Seydou Doumbia as world-class strikers means there's more than enough firepower up front. Could 2015 be the year that the nearly-men of African football finally write their name in the history books?