Image source, AFP

The big striker picks a big moment to open his Afcon 2015 account. Eric Bailly makes a great run forward from the back and ships it to Max Gradel. He flights a wonderful curling delivery into the box for Wilfried Bony, who has timed his run to perfection, to nod in. Advantage the Elephants.

James Earl Kiawoin:, external Algeria asking all the questions. Ivory Coast not as threatening as they should be on paper. Toure needs to get involved.

Ivory Coast almost conjure a sucker punch. Aissi Mandi brings down Gervinho, and from the free-kick, Serge Aurier's glancing header rattles the base of the upright. The rebound doesn't quite sit down for Wilfried Bony.

Ivory Coast have committed nine fouls already and they almost pay the price for their latest. Saphir Taider curls in a great delivery from the free-kick, and Kolo Toure's desperate defensive header falls straight to Riyad Mahrez, who can't keep his volley down from close range. Decent chance.

Nick Cavell
BBC Sport at Estadio de Malabo

"Max Gradel cut inside there and showed what he has been doing all tournament really, although maybe he was a bit selfish and should have looked up and squared to Bony."

Max Gradel, who has been one of Ivory Coast's better performers in this campaign, cuts in from the right and leaves Faouzi Ghoulam for dead with a neat shimmy, but he drags his shot wide of the post.

Ben Johnson:, external I've watched about 60mins of AFCON2015 & I've seen Bony make five defensive headers. We NEED that at Manchester City right now.

This is a sartorial nightmare. Ivory Coast coach Herve Renard, the ever immaculately-dressed Frenchman, has been ordered to cover up his crisp white shirt with a pink bib, presumably so he's not confused with an Algeria player. The boss takes it in good grace though.

A first real chance for Ivory Coast to attack as they counter at pace, Serey Die feeds Gervinho down the right, the winger twists the defender inside out but his cross rolls straight across the area with no-one attacking it. Missed opportunity.

Football writer Jonathan Wilson:, external "The Ivorians have barely had the ball as yet."

Nick Cavell
BBC Sport at Estadio de Malabo

"In this opening 10 minutes or so it is only Algeria who have been attacking in the opposition half. For all the power the Ivorians have in attack, they have really done very little."

Yacine Brahimi shows lovely skill to trick his way into the box on the left-hand side, and his deflected shot causes panic in the Ivory Coast area. Keeper Sylvain Gbohouo comes out to catch but doesn't get there as Siaka Tiene wildly miskicks a clearance, presenting Hilal Soudani with a great chance, but his volley is well held by Gbohouo.

Ivorian frustration comes to a head when Yaya Toure steps across Yacine Brahimi to concede a free-kick. Riyad Mahrez's poor delivery doesn't beat the first man though.

It's a slick surface in Malabo - some are speculating that that will favour Algeria. They've certainly settled quicker, keeping Ivory Coast pinned in their own half thus far.

Mamadi Sirleaf:, external "This a final before the grand final. Ivory Coast and Algeria are two African giants who are thirsty for the trophy."

Riyad Mahrez plays a nice ball down the left to raiding full-back Faouzi Ghoulam, who wins an early corner for Algeria. It comes to nothing though, with keeper Sylvain Gbohouo claiming a nerve-settling early catch.

Nick Cavell
BBC Sport at Estadio de Malabo

"Yaya Toure has not put himself forward and dominated games like we know he can do. He has not been doing anything like we know he is capable of at Manchester City. I think it is telling that he has not given many interviews, which he normally does."

Ivory Coast get us under way. Both teams in their traditional colours - Ivory Coast in orange, Algeria in white.

We're almost ready to go in Malabo. There are plenty of Ivorian fans in the stadium by the way - will that give them an advantage?