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THE BALL IS MINE . . . Cote d’lvoire’s Gervinho (front) tussles with Cameroon’s Clinton Ndjie during the Afcon qualifier yesterday

Abidjan — Cote d’lvoire qualified for the African Nations Cup finals yesterday after a tepid 0-0 draw with 10-man Cameroon, who had Stephane Mbia sent off just before the hour in Abidjan. Cameroon had made the finals as Group D winners and showed little sense of adventure in a game that ended in farcical circumstances with the Ivorians passing the ball around in defence and the visitors showing no desire to win possession.

Cameroon captain Mbia was sent off for fouling striker Gervinho when he was adjudged to have been the last defender, despite the immediate presence of team mate Henri Bedimo.

Yaya Toure’s goal-bound effort from the free kick was headed off the line, which was the closest either side came to a goal.
Cameroon have 14 points followed by Cote d’lvoire on 10 with DR Congo, who beat Sierra Leone 3-1, third on nine.

The Congolese could still reach the finals as the best third-placed side in the pool stages but must wait for the rest of the qualifiers to be completed yesterday.
Cote d’lvoire join Cameroon, Algeria, Cape Verde Islands, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Senegal and new hosts Equatorial Guinea in the Jan. 17-Feb. 8 tournament which will feature 16 teams.In the other match DR Congo came from a goal behind to beat visiting Sierra Leone 3-1.

The Leone Stars, who began the match knowing they had no chance of qualifying for the finals, opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a long-range effort from outside the area.

Crystal Palace midfielder Yannick Bolasie drew the sides level just before half-time when he controlled the ball on his chest and smashed home from outside the box.

Meanwhile, Reigning champions Nigeria will not defend their title in Equatorial Guinea after failing to qualify from Group A.
In yseterday’s final round of matches, Nigeria were held 2-2 by South Africa in Uyo, meaning they finished outside of their group’s top two automatic qualification spots with eight points — a total that also put them out of the running to be the best third-placed team.

South Africa had already assured their place at the tournament, which will be played from 17 January to 8 February, and only one spot remains outstanding.
Nigeria went into the game against South Africa with their fate in their own hands — win and they would claim second spot in the table and a place in the finals alongside group winners Bafana Bafana.

But the Super Eagles blew their chance to prevent a troubled campaign from turning disastrous, even though they fought back from two goals down to finish with a draw.

The writing was on the wall for Stephen Keshi’s side, who have been plagued by both on and off the pitch problems, when Tokelo Rantie scored a goal either side of half-time to put the visitors firmly in control.

Sone Aluko pulled a goal back on 68 minutes and Nigerian hopes were raised further when South Africa’s Renielwe Letsholonyane was sent off.
In added time Aluko levelled the scores but it was too late for the home side and they once more miss out on playing in Equatorial Guinea, as they did when the country co-hosted the tournament in 2012. — BBC Sport