The Côte d'Ivoire national team, the Elephants, came from a goal down at home to win their first match against Libya in the African Nations Cup qualifiers on Sunday in Abidjan.

Olympic Marseille Striker, Ibrahim Bakayoko equalised for the Elephants nine minutes after Ahmed Masli had put the North African ahead in the eighth minute.

The France-based midfielder took a powerful left footer after 17 minutes following a set up from Feyenoord striker, Bonaventure Kalou.

The Ivorians lacked colour for most of the second-half as the Libyans piled pressure in a disorganised Elephants defence.

But the French coach, added spice to his side with some substitutions later in the match, which paid off for the Ivorians with Zephirin Zoko netting the winner three minutes from time.

Côte d'Ivoire move to second in Group seven of the Nations Cup qualifiers on goal difference, but are tied on three points with Libya.

Egypt head the group with a 100 percent record after successive lone goal wins over Côte d'Ivoire and Sudan, respectively.

Côte d'Ivoire play their next match against Sudan in Abidjan on April 14, while Egypt will clash with Libya in a North African duel.

Sunday's match in Abidjan was originally scheduled to take place on October 8, but was postponed by African football body, CAF due to the unstable situation in the Ivorian capital at the time.