Mali and Guinea played to a third 1-1 draw in their African Nations Cup Group D in Mongomo on Wednesday and will have to endure the drawing of lots to decide which of them advances to the quarter-finals.

The draw will be held in Malabo on Thursday, the Confederation of African Football said. Cote d'Ivoire finished top with a 1-0 win in Malabo that eliminated Cameroon.

Kevin Constant had given Guinea the lead via the penalty spot after 15 minutes, but just two minutes later Mali's Seydou Keita missed his spot kick at the other end.

Modibo Maiga did find an equaliser for Mali just after halftime and as the sides could not be separated on the pitch in the second half, must rely on luck.

"I'm tired so I think I'll be able to sleep tonight and then wait for the draw tomorrow," Guinea coach Michel Dusseyer. "Of course I'm proud of my team because tonight it was a battle and they fought to the end. The draw still allows us to dream of the quarter-finals."

Referee Said Kordi of Tunisia waved play-on as Guinea appealed for a handball early on but then changed his mind and awarded the spot kick. Replays showed Salif Coulibaly handled the ball with his arm out in a defensive position.

Just a minute later Modibo Maiga's strongly-hit cross was handled by Issiaga Sylla at the other end of the field and this time the referee had no hesitation.

But veteran Keita, in his seventh Nations Cup appearance, hit a weak shot that Naby Yattara saved.

Maiga clawed his side level again just after the break though with a headed goal just two minutes into the second half as he was unmarked at back post to convert a cross from Abdoulaye Diaby.

"Mali confirmed their quality. Maybe we needed a bit more penetration but we were solid in defence. I'm satisfied but I'm not satisfied with the result," Mali coach Henryk Kasperczak said.