Toure's Ivory Coast reach quarter-finals
Kolo Toure was celebrating on Wednesday night as he helped steer Ivory Coast to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Cameroon.
A clash with Algeria in the final eight of the tournament now awaits Toure's side, who prospered from Max Gradel's first-half strike out in Equatorial Guinea, to finish top of Group D.
All previous games in the group had ended 1-1, meaning the four teams were locked together with an identical amount of points and an inseparable goal difference tally heading into the final fixtures.
Ivory Coast's triumph saw them safely through; however, after Mali and Guinea played out yet another 1-1 stalemate, lots will now have to be drawn on Thursday to decide which of the two teams claims the runners up spot.
Wilfried Bony missed an early chance to hand Toure and co the lead at the Estadio De Malabo, while Barcelona goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa came to Cameroon's rescue shortly after to thwart Serge Aurier.
In the 36th minute, Gradel produced a moment of inspiration to put Herve Renard's side ahead, seizing upon a mistake from Jerome Guihoata and lashing a stunning effort into the corner of the net from distance.
Edgar Salli missed an opportunity to equalise for Cameroon just prior to the interval, while Bony might have doubled Ivory Coast's lead midway through the second half.
However, Toure and co held firm to secure the win and the Liverpool man, who featured for the entire 90 minutes against the Indomitable Lions, can now look forward to a quarter-final clash with Algeria on Sunday February 1.