By Paul Osborne

Mali and Guinea to draw lots for place in Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-finals ©Getty ImagesLots will decide whether Mali or Guinea progress to the quarter-finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-1 draw between the Group D sides.

Whoever is drawn will join Ivory Coast in the first knockout stages after they recorded the first win of the group with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.

It is the first time since 1988 that lots will decide who progresses to the next stage of competition, with Algeria benefitting ahead of the Ivory Coast on the previous occasion, and comes after a third 1-1 draw for the two teams.

Kevin Constant put Guinea ahead on the 15 minute mark as he coolly dinked home a penalty given for handball against Salif Coulibaly.

Mali could have hit back within minutes but Seydou Keita saw his tame penalty saved by Naby-Moussa Yattara after Baissama Sankoh was penalised for handball.

The equaliser did come just minutes into the second half when Abdoulay Diaby sent in a wonderful, lofted cross to the far post and Modibo Maiga headed home impressively.

Mali began to pile on the pressure from here but miss after miss cost them dearly as the game ended all square.

The Ivory Coast recorded a 1-0 win over Cameroon to book their spot into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as Group D winners ©Getty ImagesThe Ivory Coast recorded a 1-0 win over Cameroon to book their spot into the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations as Group D winners ©Getty Images



A draw at the African Football Confederation (CAF) hotel in Malobo tomorrow will now determine who progresses to the next stage, with each teams' name being entered into a ball before an official is invited to pick one ball.

Whoever is drawn will move into the quarter-finals where they will face Group C toppers Ghana.

A wonder-strike from Max Gradel was the difference between Cameroon and Ivory Coast in the evening's other match as Ivory Coast recorded the first win of Group D.

A goalless draw looked on the cards following a relatively subdued opening 35 minutes, before Gradel unleashed a 25-yard strike out of nowhere which flew into the top left corner to give Ivory Coast the advantage.

The goal proved decisive as neither team managed to find the net in the remaining 55 minutes of play, despite countless chances from each side.

The win moves the Ivory Coast into the quarter-finals where they will face pre-tournament favourites Algeria.

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