MALABO, Equatorial Guinea (AP):

Both Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon came into the day as big favourites at the African Cup of Nations, and both finished it happy just to avoid losing.

The Ivorians got a late equaliser from Seydou Doumbia - shortly after Gervinho was sent off with a straight red card - to earn a 1-1 draw with Guinea yesterday at Malabo Stadium.

A short time later at the same venue, it was Cameroon that needed a late goal from Ambroise Oyongo to hold on for a 1-1 draw against Mali.

"We bounced back. It's a good point for us," said Cote d'Ivoire captain Yaya Toure, who recently won his fourth African player of the year award. "We have a couple of games coming, and I hope we will do well in them."

The draws leave all four teams in Group D with one point. On Saturday, Cote d'Ivoire will take on Mali and Cameroon will face Guinea.

straight red

Gervinho had been Cote d'Ivoire's best player, or least the one with the best chances, until a scuffle with Baissama Sankoh during an off-the-ball incident earned him a straight red in the 57th minute.

Doumbia, who came on in the 66th as the tactics changed, scored from in front of goal in the 72nd after a pass from Wilfried Bony. Toure was the one who started the play.

Guinea had taken the lead in the 36th when Ibrahima Traore crossed to Mohamed Yattara.

Traore then had a chance to double the lead in the 61st but his shot hit the crossbar.

In the second match, Oyongo latched on to a long pass from Raoul Loe in the 84th and beat Mali goalkeeper Soumaila Diakite in a fast-paced game that had several missed chances at both ends.

Sambou Yatabare had given Mali a surprising lead in the 71st, controling the ball with his chest and scoring from a tight angle after a free kick on the other side of the field.