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Cameroon national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 28, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
Ivory Coast national football team

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Gradel (36')

Live Commentary: Cameroon 0-1 Ivory Coast - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Group D Africa Cup of Nations match between Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
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A long-range first-half strike from Max Gradel gave Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Cameroon, sending the Elephants through to the quarter-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The striker fired the ball in from 25 yards out shortly before half time, to ensure that Ivory Coast were the only side to finish with a victory in Group D.

The result sets up a last-eight meeting with Algeria for the victors, while Cameroon are eliminated after finishing last in the group.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good evening! The final group games at this year's Africa Cup of Nations get underway in just under half an hour, with everything still to be decided in Group D. Let's start with a look at the team news.

CAMEROON STARTING XI: Ondoa, Guihoata, Nkoulou, Chedjou, Bedimo, Mandjeck, Mbia, Salli, Moukandjo, Choupo-Moting, Etoundi

IVORY COAST STARTING XI: Gbohouo, Kanon, Kolo Toure, Baily, Tiene, Aurier, Yaya Toure, Serey Die, Doumbia, Gradel, Bony

Ivory Coast are still without Gervinho, who is suspended after getting send off in the first match, while Cheick Tiote is also out after being booked twice. Max Gradel comes into the starting lineup, having come off the bench to score the equaliser last time out.

Eyong Enoh misses out again for Cameroon after picking up an injury in their opening match of the tournament. Benjamin Moukandjo, who scored their only goal against Mali, will continue up front.

So coming into the final match of the group stage of the tournament, there is nothing to separate the four teams in Group D after all four fixtures so far have ended 1-1. If both of this evening's matches finished in draws by the same score, the quarter-finalists will be decided by lot!

So in order for these two sides to secure a place in the last eight, they will need to have half an eye on the score in the other Group D match, which also kicks off at 6pm. If you also want to follow Guinea's clash with Mali, you can do so here.

In his pre-match press conference, Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard, who led Zambia to the title three years ago, told reporters: "Cameroon have experienced players in every department. For us, except for Kolo Toure, we have no other experienced defender. It is a match that will be decided by little details. Concentration, an ability to take our chances and defensive rigour will all be important. Whichever team shows a little less of these things will go home."

Meanwhile, Cameroon coach Volker Finke told reporters: "We go for a win. But I know we have to work very hard against the ball. There are excellent individual players in the team of Ivory Coast."

The players are making their way out ready for the pre-match national anthems and then kickoff. In the seven previous AFCON matches between these two sides, Cameroon have won five and drawn twice, although the two draws did go to penalty shootouts, which were both won by Ivory Coast.

This should be a match that sees both sides on the attack. They each know that the only way they can guarantee a place in the quarter-finals will be with a win. Should the match end in a draw, then the outcome of the other fixture will come into play. If both matches are draws, then it comes down to the scoreline, with the nations involved in the highest-scoring match going through.

Both anthems were well met, with plenty of supporters in from both countries, particularly Ivory Coast, who have a large section of fans in their distinctive orange colours.

KICKOFF! Cameroon get the match underway.

Cameroon try to get the ball down field, but Jerome Guihoata overplays the a pass forward towards Stephane M'bia, and it goes straight out behind. It's looks like there could be some nervous players out on the pitch this evening.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast should be ahead after creating the first real chance of the match. Max Gradel cuts in from the right before pulling it back for Wilfried Bony, but the new Manchester City striker seems a little surprised by the ball, and he can't tap it in.

Edgar Salli quickly tries to get Cameroon involved down the other end, but he's penalised for a foul on Eric Bailly. Yaya Toure loses the ball in midfield though, allowing Maxin Choupo-Moting to attempt a shot from the edge of the box, but his bobbling effort curled well wide of the post.

Yaya Toure picks out Max Gradel with a low ball forward, but the scorer of the equaliser in Ivory Coast's last outing can't get to it in time.

Cameroon have seen more of the ball so far, but they're yet to put the Ivory Coast defenders under any real pressure. Ivory Coast certainly look the more dangerous on the break, but they're struggling to get hold of the ball in the early stages of this encounter.

Cameroon win a free kick on the edge of the box as Sylvain Gbohouo appears the handle the ball outside of the box, although the replays suggest that he let go before he slid over the line. Moukandjo curls it in superbly, but Franck Etoundi's header is deflected behind.

Cameroon have a corner as a result of Etoundi's deflected header, but Serey Die rushes the shot once it's played back in and he's well wide of the target.

UPDATE: In the other match in Group D, Guinea have just scored from a penalty to take the lead. If things finish as they stand now, lots would be drawn to decide whether Ivory Coast or Cameroon join Guinea in the last eight, but it's still early.

Gradel crosses the ball in towards Bony again, but this time Cameroon have to intervene, and N'Koulou heads it behind, but the resulting set piece comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast have a free kick in a dangerous position, and Max Gradel's excellent ball into the box is well met by Aurier, but the keeper punches it clear, and Yaya Toure is beaten to the ball by N'Koulou to prevent the African Footballer of the Year tapping in the rebound.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Gradel fires it in towards Sergio Doumbia, but Joseph Ondoa comes off his line to claim it for Cameroon.

Ivory Coast have started to look the stronger of the two in the last 10 minute or so, and they force another corner, but once again keeper Ondoa is ready to come off his line and punch it clear. The teenager plays his club football for Barcelona B.

BOOKING! Eric Bailly appears to have injured his back while making a tackle on Edgar Salli. He gets a yellow card for the challenge, but it looks like it might be the end of his day too.

SUB! Ivory Coast have to make a change, with Ousmane Viera coming on for the injured Eric Bailly, who appears to have given himself a back spasm making the challenge.

Ivory Coast are on the attack again and have another free kick. Tiene lines it up, but his curling effort fails to connect with any of his teammate. Cameroon need to tidy up their play though, as they've given away a fair few free kicks so far.

Aurier makes a superb run towards the Cameroon goal, but his through-ball for Doumbia goes straight through to Ondoa.

BOOKING! Yaya Toure clatters into Edgar Salli, earning him a booking.

CHANCE! Choupo-Moting shows stunning skill in the edge of the box to try and get a shot away, but his effort is straight into the arms of the keeper.

GOAL! Cameroon 0-1 Ivory Coast (Max Gradel)

What a stunning strike from Max Gradel! The striker wrong-foots Henri Bedimo near the sideline before cutting in and unleashing an absolute rocket from 25 yards out, leaving Joseph Ondoa no change in the Cameroon goal.

CHANCE! Cameroon almost equalise straight away as M'bia chips the ball in for Salli, but he scuffs his shot straight into the arms of the keeper.

There's an injury concerns for Ivory Coast as Jerome Guihoata catches goalscorer Max Gradel, who is know getting seen to by the physio, but he's quickly back to his feet. As long as he can make it to half time he should be alright.

Cameroon have certainly upped their game since falling behind, but a cross in from the right from Moukandjo is easily claimed by Gbohouo. The Ivory Coast keeper has only really come under pressure once so far.

Gbohouo is involved again as he punches a free kick clear. It launches Ivory Coast on a quick counter, with Serge Aurier trying to double the lead just before the break, but his finishing touch is lacking.

Cameroon are still trying to create something before the break, but it's just not happening for them at the minute. Guihoata has the ball in space out the right, but he somehow slices it behind for a goal kick.

CHANCE! Moukandjo carves the Ivory Coast defence open just before half time with a fantastic first touch, setting up Salli, who chips is forward for himself before unleashing a powerful shot, but it was a fraction high.

HALF TIME: Cameroon 0-1 Ivory Coast

At half time it's advantage Ivory Coast as the Elephants have one foot in the last eight. There's still a long way to go, and with Guinea leading Mali by the same scoreline in the other match, the odd goal in either meeting could make all the difference.

If Ivory Coast do go through because of Max Gradel's strike, it will be thoroughly deserved if only for that one shot. The former Leeds United striker really did pull one out of the top drawer to put his side in front. He's mainly been used as a substitute in the run up to this tournament, but he's made a good case to be a regular starter this evening.

Here are some of the statistics from the opening 45 minutes. Cameroon had a little more time on the ball, with 56% of the possession. Ivory Coast were the more aggressive in front of goal, with four of their five shots on target, while just one of Cameroon's four tested the keeper.

In the event that there does need to be a draw to decide who makes it through in this tightly-fought group or, as would be the case if things finish as they are, there needs to be a draw to decide who progresses as group winner and runner-up, then that will take place tomorrow morning at the hotel of the CAF officials.

The players are making their way back out for kickoff, which will take a moment or two as the officials want this match to kick off as close of possible to the other fixture between Mali and Guinea.

SUB! There's a change for Cameroon ahead of the start of the second half, with Vincent Aboubakar replacing Edgar Salli.

KICKOFF! Ivory Coast get the second half underway.

UPDATE: There's good news for Ivory Coast and bad news for Cameroon as Mali have equalised in the other match. That would send Ivory Coast through as group winners, while Cameroon would finish bottom.

Back to this match, there hasn't really been much to speak about in front of goal at the minute, but Ivory Coast have been dominating the possession, but an early effort from Serey Die has failed to trouble Ondoa.

There's a problem for Cameroon captain Stephane M'bia as he appears to have picked up a knock while trying to stop an Aurier run down the right flank, but he's quickly back up.

CHANCE! M'bia crosses the ball in for Moukandjo, but the midfielder's powerful drive is blocked by Kolo Toure, which immediately allows Ivory Coast to press down the other end, but Ondoa eventually managed to claim it.

SUB! Cameroon are sending on some fresh legs up front as Leonard Kweuke replaces Franck Etoundi, who has been pretty quiet so far.

Cameroon have started to see a bit more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but they're really not putting Ivory Coast under any kind of pressure at the back. Choupo-Moting tries to control a high ball into box, but his first touch is poor, allowing Kolo Toure to clear.

SUB! Ivory Coast are also make a change up front as Seydou Doumbia makes way for Junior Tallo.

Guihoata thinks that he's making progress down the rights as he sprints past a couple of Ivory Coast players, but then fouls Tiene before he can get the cross in. It's all going Ivory Coast's way at the moment.

CHANCE! Wilfried Bony managed to get in behind, despite being closely marked by N'Koulou and Chedjou. He holds them both off to get his shot away, but Ondoa palms it clear, and the striker can't reach the rebound.

Yaya Toure loses the ball to Serey Die in midfield, but more worryingly for Ivory Coast, the African Footballer of the Year isn't getting back up at the minute.

SUB! While Toure is seen to by the physio, Cameroon take advantage of the sop of bring on Njie for Moukandjo.

Yaya Toure eventually gets back to his feet and manages to limp to the sideline. It looks like the Manchester City midfielder will be alright to come back on.

Njie tries to make an impact once the action resumes, but his shot is deflected behind by Kolo Toure to give Cameroon a corner. Bony manages to head it away though.

M'bia and Bedimo try to play their way down the left, but Ivory Coast are continuing to hold firm at the back. Njie manages to force a corner, but the delivery is punched clear by the keeper. Meanwhile Yaya Toure is down injured again.

It doesn't look like it's too big a problem for Yaya Toure, he just gets knocked off his feet while defending the corner. Once the game gets back underway, Bony tries to push down the other end, knowing that a second goal would be invaluable for Ivory Coast, but he's tripped in midfield.

From the resulting free kick, Yaya Toure tries to chip it in for Max Gradel, but there's a little too much on the ball for the goalscorer. He takes a tumble and clatters into the advertising hoarding behind the goal, but escapes unharmed.

CHANCE! M'Bia manages to find Aboubakar in the box, but the striker slips as he gets the shot away, slicing it wide. That's the first time the Ivory Coast keeper has had to look alert for some time though.

SUB! It's been a difficult second half for Yaya Toure, he's been on the wrong side of several heavy challenges and he's just not moving great at the minute, so Ivory Coast make their final change, bringing n Cheick Doukoure in his place.

CHANCE! Ivory Coast almost put he result beyond doubt as Tallo flicks the ball up over Bedimo to fire and fire a low shot in, but Ondoa makes a diving stop.

CHANCE! Cameroon win a free kick just outside the box as Gradel barges M'bia out the way. The goalscorer might have been a little lucky not to give away a penalty moments earlier though after catching the Cameroon captain in the head with a high challenge. Aboubakar goes for goal from the set piece, but he curls it straight at the keeper.

Aboubakar tries to power his way into the box, beating a couple of defenders, but he's a little too forceful as he looks for a way past Siaka Tiene. Cameroon really haven't tested Ivory Coast enough in the second half, if they do go out, they can have no complaints after this performance.

Cameroon have four minutes of stoppage time to try to save their AFCON campaign.

Despite Cameroon being the ones who need the goal, it's Ivory Coast who are applying pressure, with Die hooking the ball in for Gradel, but the striker just hasn't quite got enough left in his legs to get his boot to it.

BOOKING! Sylbain Gbohouo is booked for time wasting after apparently complaining to the referee that he had a problem with his socks. Funnily enough, the referee wasn't buying it.

Aboubakar tries a last-ditch effort for Cameroon, but his curling effort is miles off target and goes high into the stand. That must surely be it for Cameroon now.

UPDATE: The other match has finished 1-1, but there's a delay here as an Ivory Coast player is down injured.

FULL TIME: Cameroon 0-1 Ivory Coast

IVORY COAST ARE THROUGH TO THE QUARTER-FINALS!

Max Gradel's first-half wonderstrike proves enough for Ivory Coast, and suspended striker Gervinho is among those leading the celebrations in the stands.

Ivory Coast will have to wait and see who they have available for their next match though, as Yaya Toure, Serey Die and Eric Bailly all left the match with injuries.

Next up for Ivory Coast will be Algeria, who were one of the pre-tournament favourites. Mali and Guinea, who drew the other Group D match, will have to wait until tomorrow to find out which of them reaches the last eight though.

So, that's it for the group stage of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, but join us again on Saturday when the quarter-finals get underway. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.

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Ivory Coast's midfielder Max-Alain Gradel is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group D football match between Ivory Coast and Mali in Malabo on January 24, 2015
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212


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