The Ivorian side took the lead in the 18th minute through Souleymane Diaby before captain Mohamed Camara levelled for Mali in first half stoppage time at the Stade Félix Houphouet Boigny.

Both teams went forward in search of a winner and it came 11 minutes from time, with Ake Arnaud Loba firing the home side into the gold medal match.

They will take on Morocco for the Francophone Games title after substitute Hamza Hannouri came off the bench to send his team through to the final with an 84th-minute goal in their last four clash with Democratic Republic of Congo.

As the closely-fought match looked to be heading towards extra time, Hannouri was in the right place at the right time to break the deadlock with what proved to be the winner.

DR Congo and Mali will battle for the bronze medal.

Both the bronze medal and gold medal matches are scheduled to take place on Sunday (July 30).

Canada Quebec progressed through to the final of the women's basketball event with a narrow 55-45 win over Wallonia, the French community of Belgium whose capital is Brussels.

Julie Brosseau led the way for the victors with a haul of 16 points, while Alexandria Kiss-Rusk chipped in with 13 as they edged their opponents by a 10-point margin.

Canada Quebec will face France, who thrashed Senegal 66-32 in the other semi-final.

Mali will entertain Romania for fifth place after they thrashed Guinea 106-48 yesterday.