A frustrated Herve Renard cut a figure of a coach who doesn’t want to go home now. But judging from the performance of his players, he could be alone in this desire.

Another lethargic performance from Ivory Coast, another draw for the favourites and the eighth drawn game of the tournament, Ivory Coast’s ambition narrowly survived after an 83^rd minute equalizer against Mali.

All the teams in the group have a point. And Mali will be kicking themselves after failing to see out a crucial 7^th minute lead from Sako.

Great counter attacking after Mali attacker Mustapha Yatabare found Sambou on the right flank who cut back a cross for on rushing Bakary Sako to smash into in the bottom corner. Rare precision for the winger in a tournament where woeful technique is making teams rue missed chances.

Red carded Gervinho sat in the stands holding his chin thinking what might have been if he was on the pitch – and Ivory Coast lacked exactly what Gervinho had – pace.

Coach Renard made a substitution in the 36th minute demonstrating that he prefered an equalizer than an inspirational pep talk at half time.

Saint-Etienne player Max Gradel came on for Diomande shortly after Bony’s appeal for a penalty was turned down. Mali’s Wague would count himself lucky not to concede the penalty. He used his body to take out Bony after he slipped while trying to close Bony down. The Manchester City player turned him inside-out, one you would normally credit to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mali looked content to hold the Ivorians and they sat back trying to get the Ivorians on the break. They looked more lively even in defence as the Elephants struggled to break them down.

Perhaps Ivory Coast’s equalizer was helped by the substitution of injured Mali keeper Soumaila Diakite.  Local player, 21-year-old Germain Berthe came on as his replacement in the 70th minutes.

Renard threw in Salomon Kalou and Gadji Tallo to take out Wilfried Bony and Wilfried Kanon and that paid off.

But it was right back Sergie Aurier who cut back a nice ball to Max Gredel after running down the right. Gredel, totally unmarked, had all the time to fire, and he did low  and hard to beat Germain.

The substitute keeper would not be proud of his effort. But Ivory Coast won't mind.

Their dream lives on to the final match day next week when the Ivorians meet Cameroon in a do-and-die-encounter.