Gradel salvages draw for Ivory Coast against Mali at Cup of Nations

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Ivory Coast national soccer team players  A late goal from substitute Max Gradel salvaged a 1-1 draw for Ivory Coast against Mali Saturday to keep the Elephants' hopes of making the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations very much alive. Wolves striker Bakary Sako looked to have secured a shock victory for Mali in the Group D encounter in Malobo with a superb volley scored after seven minutes until Gradel stroked home a Serge Aurier cross with just seven minutes remaining. The result leaves the group wide open with both sides joint top on two points after two games. The second match in Group D on Saturday is scheduled for 1900 GMT with Cameroon facing Guinea. Both teams currently have one point each after drawing their opening matches.