Africa Cup of Nations

Qualification from Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations, which includes two of this summer's World Cup teams in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, remains up for grabs after two matches ended up as yet more draws in the competition.

A late goal from Max Gradel earned the Ivory Coast a draw in the first match of the day, while Borussia Mönchengladbach's Ibrahima Traore scored to help his Guinean team-mates grind out a draw against Cameroon.

Traore, the captain, drilled a superb shot from long range into the net, canceling out an earlier goal from Benjamin Moukandjo.

Cameroon, coached by German Volker Finke, showed a lack of composure in attack and could only muster a draw in their second game of the group phase.

The return of the Indomitable Lions' captain Stephane Mbia acted like a catalyst for Cameroon's rampant start to the game with Moukandjo's opener coming after several efforts from Finke's men.

Traore's strike, though, took the stuffing out of the Cameroonians and the talented Gladbach midfielder was unlucky not to score the winner late on.

Guinea continued to carve out the best chances towards the end with substitute Naby Keita blazing over the crossbar with just a few minutes left.

Gradel levels and seals another draw

In the earlier match in Malabo, Gradel salvaged a point for the Ivory Coast with a late goal, which keeps alive their hopes of a place in the quarterfinals.

With four minutes left, substitute Gradel latched on to an incisive pass from Salomon Kalou before arrowing a shot past the Malian keeper.

Mali were left "disappointed," according to their coach Henryk Kasperczak, who thanked his players for their hard work but admitted that individual mistakes cost his side from taking three vital points.

"I think the best solution for us is to keep doing what we have been doing, play the same way but avoid making the same mistake," said the Mali coach, who saw his side take the lead with a seventh-minute stormer from Bakary Sako.

The West Africans were left frustrated at the final whistle and head coach Herve Renard admitted to reporters that he wasn't happy with the refereeing.

"I don't like to create controversy after," he said, apparently incensed by a first-half penalty appeal that Wilfried Bony was denied. "All that leads to is being suspended. I need to remain calm."

"There were lots more good things today than in the first match but unfortunately we went behind early on.

"Once again we struggled at the start of the game. I think if you look at the statistics, they didn't have many shots on goal."

With qualification on the line on Wednesday, Ivory Coast, still without Gervinho, will face Cameroon in Malabo, while Guinea take on Mali in Mongomo later.