Ivory Coast top: Gradel strikes again to win Group D for Elephants

Max-Alain Gradel was the hero again for Ivory Coast on Wednesday evening after the France based forward's first half goal proved decisive in Group D at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 27 year old Saint Etienne forward scored for the second straight game to rescue his country's Africa Cup hopes as they defeated Cameroon 1-0 at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo to seal top spot and set up a quarter final meeting with Group C runners-up Algeria.

The Ivorians will also have the luxury of welcoming back for their last 8 tie, striker, Gervinho who has now served the two games he was banned for getting sent off in their opening 1-1 draw against Guinea

Fellow West Africans, Guinea edged another side from the continent;s Western region, Mali on alphabetical order of names after both sides finished on identical records after Guinea came from a goal down at halftime to force another 1-1 stalemate in Mongomo to set up a meeting with Ghana who the Syli Nationale played in qualifying.

Cameroon who defeated Ivory Coast 4-1 in qualifying finished bottom of the log in the section ensuring that the Indomitable Lions were eliminated at the group stage for the first time at the Africa Cup since 1996.

Mali who finished in third place at the past two tournaments, are also out despite going unbeaten in Equatorial Guinea 2015. Follow @thedonplato