Ivory Coast required a late goal by substitute Max Gradel to salvage a draw against Mali in their Group D game in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament on Saturday.
Max Gradel popped up with a late equaliser in the 87th minute for Ivory Coast after Bakary Sako fired Mali ahead 7 minutes after kick off.
Gradel found the equalizer following a cutback by from Serge Aurier, Ivory Coast having struggled to find a response in the whole encounter.
Mali lost goalkeeper Soumbeila Diakite to injury in the second half but held out Herve Renard’s charges that only earned a 1-1 draw with Guinea in their opening match courtesy of Seydou Doumbia’s 72nd-minute strike.
Ivory Coast who were missing suspended Gervinho dominanted the match brought in Siaka Tiene, Ismael Diomande, Doumbia, Kolo Toure and Wilfried Bony who twice missed the target with headers.
Mali held firm after Sako’s superb half-volley off Sambou Yatabare’s cross from the right, , but suffered a penalty scare when Molla Wague brought down Bony
with his head as he fell to the ground in 33rd minute.
And the second goal ought to have sealed the victory when Gbohouo made a mess of a cross only to be rescued by Wilfried Kanon’s clearance.
Mali and Ivory Coast now enter the final round of group matches with two points each. Mali face Guinea on Wednesday while Ivory Coast will have to beat Cameroon on the same day
