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Ivory Coast clinch last-eight slot
CAIRO, Egypt -- Didier Drogba pointed the way as the Ivory Coast became the first side to reach the African Nations Cup quarterfinals following a 2-1 win against Libya in Cairo on Tuesday. The World Cup finalists again looked unimpressive in their Group A game but made the last eight when hosts Egypt were later held to a goalless draw by Morocco. Gneri Yaya Toure was also on target for the Ivory Coast who face anxious Egypt in their final group game on Saturday. Egypt, who need only a draw to join their rivals in the next stage, should have scored after 23 minutes when Ahmed Fathi shot wide with the goal at his mercy. They missed another golden chance deep into injury-time when substitute Emad Moteab broke free in the penalty area, chested the ball down but then mis-kicked. Morocco, yet to score a goal in the tournament, are third in the group with one point. Libya are bottom with no points. Crowd trouble broke out at halftime when Egyptian fans in the upper tier of one of the stands began pelting Libyan supporters below with plastic bottles. Police baton-charged the fans, who had earlier watched their side lose to Ivory Coast, and cleared the entire section within minutes. Chelsea striker Drogba scored in the 10th minute for the Ivorians with his second goal of the tournament after keeper Muftah Ghzalla spilled the ball. Players immediately engaged in a colourful if bizarre team celebration by the cornerflag. It looked premature when the north Africans fought back strongly to equalise just before half-time through Abdelsalam Khames. Jehad Muntasser, who plays for Serie A tailenders Treviso, put in a superb cross and Khames rose to head it downwards and under the body of keeper Jean-Jacques Tizie. Drogba's first impact on the second-half was to be booked for a two footed challenge on his fellow goalscorer Khames. But the Ivorian marksman recovered his composure a minute later and his deft lob over the desperate Ghzalla just went wide of the post. The Libyans, though, went even closer as another stunning slide rule pass by Tareq El-Taib found the unmarked Nader Karra, but his shot shaved the post. The Ivory Coast then took advantage of another Ghzalla mistake to win the game through a header from Toure 16 minutes from time when the keeper was guilty of a poor punch.. 
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