Jack Vagabond:, external Why doesn't it go to penalties? Drawing lots is very strange way to decide.

I wish I could answer that one for you Jack.

Keep tweeting us on #bbcafcon. How would you feel if your team had to draw lots?

Foul...foul...foul. We approach the 40th one of this match and Guinea are almost made to pay. Having just conceded a free kick in the exact same area, they do the same again and Seydou Keita's delivery causes mayhem in the six-yard box. Penalty appeals by players for handball, not given.

Mali are banking on a bit of luck here and they'll need more tomorrow if it goes to the drawing of lots.

Free-kick from Cameroon on the edge of the penalty area on the left..... a rare chance. Comes to nothing as the Lions struggle to create anything.

Attack v defence. Red and yellow Guinea shirts camped in their own half. If they survive this 15 minutes I'd be surprised.

Retention of possession is non existent for the side which led through Kevin Constant's penalty early on. Big headed chance for Molla Wague of Mali...glances it...slips wide. Unmarked.

Into the last 15 minutes at Malabo and Ivory Coast appear to be in cruise control. They know though a goal from Cameroon and their progress is in danger.

It only takes a second....

Yes, yes, yes, for the Sunday League enthusiasts as Molla Wague lumps a massive up and under clearance down field. The ball orbits Mars and comes back into the atmosphere...how will it bounce on this boulder of a pitch? Heavy and well mopped up by the Guinea back line.

Here comes Bakary Sako of Wolves for Mali. A handful this guy. Replaces Abdoulay Diaby who played on the right flank, not a familiar berth for Sako.

BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo: Cameroon boss Volker Finke has finally turned to Lyon striker Clinton N'Jie.

He's been repeatedly asked in press conferences why he hasn't had a chance...that means if he scores and Cameroon go through then many of the Cameroonian journalist here will, I suspect, suggest it is in spite of their coach and not because of him.

He's just had a shot deflect over and the fans in front of me are going wild and chanting his name.

Image source, Reuters

Salif Coulibaly of DR Congo outfit Mazembe uses his full frame and an acrobatic fling of the body to cut out a driven pass by Kevin Constant. It's a crucial interception and sparks an attack for Mali but Abdoulay Diaby goes early and is offside. He was away there.

Into the last 30 minutes. Ivory Coast are going through, while Guinea and Mali are drawing lots for second spot. A goal in either game could change things though...

History is with the Eagles...

Image source, AFP

Credit to Mali. They have come out after the break, got their goal and dominated. Corners are forced with balls played between centre-back and full-back leading to dangerous attacks.

Guinea have brought Seydouba Soumah and he at least looks fresh legged up front but their attacks are sparse.

Almost game over as Wilfried Bony bursts through on goal for Ivory Coast. It looks as though he is being pulled back by Nicolas N'Koulou but, with play waved on, his shot is straight at goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.

Some of you are getting in touch on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external with your suggestions for players and teams who did not maximise when they had a so called 'golden generation.'

Danny Newfb Robson: Belguim have a great team on paper. Never do anything though.

Wing Lam: England 2004, 2006 and 2008 were not managed well and severely under achieved!

Dean Mcmillan: Why are people saying England? A team with bang average players. Not a world class player among them. Technically not even close to many other countries. What do people expect England to achieve?

Keep using Facebook, external or tweet #bbcafcon2015.

BBC Sport's Matthew Kenyon in Mongomo: The Mali fans are jumping now. They can see more goals for their side here this evening, and with Maiga rampant down the left, and defending like Guinea have displayed so far in this second half, who can tell them they're wrong?

Image source, Getty Images

The last time Ivory Coast failed to get out of the Africa Cup of Nations group stage was in 2002, having finished runners-up twice and third since then.

They did lift the trophy back in 1992 in Senegal and are highly fancied to challenge for the title this time round.

That is if they get out of the group stages. They are on track as things stand.

Issiaga Sylla - the Guinea left back - trots off and Djibril Tamsir Paye comes on. He has just one cap before today so his belly is probably jumping a bit now. Not much margin to knock off the rough edges here.

Guinea look to have gone into themselves a little. Territorially this is all in their half.

Image source, Reuters

Here we go again then...

Cameroon are looking a little bit more lively here. They know if they find the net, they are back in this tournament.

Now then. How's your bottle? Stick and take a lottery draw of play your way to progression while taking the odd risk?

Managers Henryk Kasperczak and Michel Dussuyer, this is where you earn your corn.

A tight five minutes has followed that leveller, Mali shading it and excellent work by Maiga sets Mamoutou N'Diaye to shoot...good low save.