11 Oct 2009

Ivory Coast qualify for world cup finals

6:19 am on 11 October 2009

The Ivory Coast have secured a place at the Fifa World Cup finals in South Africa next year after Didier Drogba struck within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to clinch a 1-all draw with Malawi in African qualifying.

The Ivorians, needing only a draw with the bottom-placed team in African qualifying Group E, had to come from behind after the hosts took a surprise 64th minute lead through Jacob Ngwira.

The result brought an end to the Ivorians' 100 percent run in the group but confirmed a second successive trip to the World Cup for the west African nation.

Ghana have already qualified from Group D, while South Africa qualify as hosts. Three more places from Africa are still up for grabs.