The final day of first round games came to an end in the African Cup of Nations today as the favourites in Group D found themselves both on the wrong end of 1-1 draws.

The Black Stars had been humbled 2-1 by Senegal, whilst in the other Group C game Algeria beat South Africa 3-1; but for the rest of the continent the tournament continued unabated.

Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon had both been set up as early favourites for qualification from Group D, but minnows Guinea and Mali both had other ideas. In the end, both giants had to fight from a goal down to secure disappointing 1-1 draws.

This tournament has had an unhealthy attachment to 1-1 draws, and Group D’s first game never looked like going that route. Both sides started brightly, the Ivoirians with their incredible array of talents including Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, new teammate Wilfried Bony, and A.S Roma’s Gervinho controlling play.

Yet it was Guinea’s Syli Nationale who drew first blood. Mohammed Yattara found himself with a free shooting chance after some poor Ivorian defending, and he capitalised to put his side ahead.

It was a swirling affair from then on, either side having respectable opportunities to score. Yet the score remained 1-0 to Guinea heading into the final 20 minutes.

Just when it looked like an upset was on the cards, substitute Seydou Doumbia equalised for Cote d’Ivoire. He pounced on Bony’s well laid through ball to draw his side level and bring some measure of relief to manager Herve Renard.

The second game followed almost exactly the same script, though with higher stakes this time as Cameroon came within an inch of losing the game.

Mali are no pushovers, but the Indomitable Lions are one of the continent’s more storied sides and where much fancied to pick all three points.

But a ding dong battle between the sides took a surprising turn when Mali scored 17 minutes from time.

Seidu Keita’s free kick eluded everyone, and then found Yabatare unmarked in the box. He volleyed a powerful effort straight into the net through the legs of the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

They held on admirably for a while, but the persistence of Cameroon paid off, Ambroise Oyongo trapping a long ball to strike into a virtually empty net.

It saved the blushes of the 2002 African champions, who are hoping to make a return to the latter stages of the competition they once flawlessly dominated.

Action continues with a return to Group A action; the hosts taking on Burkina Faso, whilst Gabon play Congo.