Cote
d’Ivoire qualified for the African Nations Cup finals on Wednesday 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 Ivory Coast 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 on
Wednesday.
Cote
d’Ivoire 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.
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