Ivorian ‘Elephants’ coast past Libya to quarter-finals as hosts Egypt held

WORLD CUP qualifiers Ivory Coast secured their place in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Cup at the expense of Libya — but hosts Egypt were made to wait.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba gave the Ivorians a 10th-minute lead in their 2-1 win over Libya by capitalising on defensive disarray.

Winger Arouna Kone, who plays for PSV Eindhoven, wriggled into the penalty area from the left flank, and, although his initial shot was saved, it caused chaos.

Libyan goalkeeper Muftah Ghzalla fumbled badly, his defence failed to clear and Kone stabbed the ball back for Drogba to blast home from eight yards.

Libya equalised through Kames Ezwae's header before the break, after the Ivory Coast wasted a flurry of chances.

He found space and got just enough power onto Jehad Muntaser's chipped cross to beat goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie.

Both sides had chances to win it in the second half as Libya's Nader Amhimed Karra hit the post and Ivory Coast were denied two penalties, but Yaya Toure eventually provided the decisive goal courtesy of a speculative header with 16 minutes left.

Libya failed to clear a corner and Kone's drive ballooned into the air for Yaya Toure to head goalwards, with Younes Shibani's attempted clearance on the line only diverting the ball off the bar and back into the net.

Egypt must wait before making plans for the last eight after being held to a woeful goalless draw by Morocco.

The hosts were roared on by an enthusiastic crowd in Cairo, but Hassan Shehata's men failed to sparkle in a game of few clear-cut chances.