Côte d'Ivoire join Nigeria at World Cup


Côte d'Ivoire booked their place at next year's World Cup after drawing 1-1 with Senegal at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Saturday night.

Ivorian Salomon Kalou netted in stoppage time to cancel out Moussa Sow's second-half opener, with the Elephants advancing 4-2 on aggregate.

Earlier, continental champions Nigeria qualified for Fifa's flagship event by seeing off Ethiopia 4-1 over two legs.

The Ivorians and Senegal struggled for ideas in a poor opening stanza, which was woefully short of goal-mouth action.

The Lions of Teranga nearly broke the deadlock three minutes into the second period, but Papiss Cisse's effort was blocked by goalkeeper Boubacar Barry following some indecisive defending from the Ivorians.

Senegal continued to dominate possession, but struggled to find their way through a stubborn Ivorian rearguard.

However, Sadio Mane then earned a somewhat soft penalty in the 75th minute under a challenge from Didier Drogba, with Sow, on for Dame Ndoye, slotting the resultant spot-kick.

The closing stages proved a tense affair, but Africa's top-ranked side held their nerve and equalised via Kalou at the death. The former Chelsea attacker made no mistake in a one-on-one situation after being teed up by Yaya Toure.

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