Ivory Coast qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals despite drawing 1-1 with Sierra Leone at the Stade Bouake in Bouake on Saturday night.

The Elephants went into the final Group I game needing only a draw to book their place at next year’s final, while the Leone Stars needed a win to qualify.

The hosts had an early chance just three minutes into the game, but Kodja Adjo was well denied by Sierra Leone goalkeeper Solomon Zombo Morris.

At the other end, the visitors were awarded their first corner-kick in the 12th minute and Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo punched it away.

Ivory Coast fullback Marc Goua pushed forward nine minutes later, but his through pass was intercepted in the Sierra Leone half.

The Elephants’ pressure finally paid off in the 35th minute when Adjo scored with an acrobatic effort to make it 1-0 to Ivory Coast much to the delight of the home crowd.

Six minutes before halftime, Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou played a great through ball for Kodjo, but Morris rushed off his goalline to collect the ball.

Sierra Leone forced an early corner-kick just two minutes into the second half and it was well gathered by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo.

On the hour-mark, Sierra Leone midfielder Kwame Quee found some space outside the Ivory Coast box, but his low shot went inches wide of the upright.

Kei Kamara restored parity for the Leone Stars seven minutes later when he headed home to make it 1-1 for Sierra Leone and also silenced the home crowd.

In the 75th minute, Yannick Kessie pulled the trigger from range, but his powerful shot flew over the crossbar as the Elephants looked to restore their lead.

Ivory Coast attacker Serge N’Guessan’s thunderous shot hit the upright with seven minutes left on the clock and Gervinho placed the rebound wide.

Nevertheless, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone settled for a 1-1 stalemate – a result that favoured the home side on the night.

Ivory Coast (1) 1 (Adjo 35′)

Sierra Leone (0) 1 (K.Kamara 67′)

Ivory Coast: Gbohouo, Goua, Kanon, Bailly, Kessie, Jean-Michel (Diomande 76′), Yao Serge, Kalou (Gradel 69′), Adama, Adjo, Yao Kouassi

Sierra Leone: Zombo, Dunia, Sesay, Bangura, Simbo, Kamara, Sankoh, Quee (Fofanah 92′), Woobay (Davies 79′), Kamara, Bangura