Ivorian Aruna Dindane takes on Cameroon's Pierre Wome

Spain-based striker Achille Webo netted with a brilliant diving header three minutes from time.

He reacted first as a long-range free kick cannoned back off the upright to take his country top of Group Three.

The goal completed a hat-trick for the striker who kept the home team on the back foot throughout the match.

Cameroon will now qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany if they win their final qualifier at home to Egypt in Yaounde on 9 October.

Ivory Coast twice came from behind in a tense game full of incident but their dreams of a World Cup finals place now lie in tatters.

The Ivorians would have become the first African team to qualify for the 2006 finals if they had won in front of a packed stadium in Abidjan.

But Cameroon, who had to win to keep alive their chances, always had the upper hand as Webo gave them the lead on the half hour, swivelling onto a long cross into the area and lobbing in.

Chelsea striker Drogba equalised eight minutes later with a trademark goal from close range after Aruna Dindane had rounded defender Pierre Wome on the left wing.

Group Three table

Webo restored Cameroon's lead on the stroke of half-time by heading home from close range after Jean Makoun had caught the Ivorian defence by surprise by keeping the ball in play and delivering a cross from the byline.

The Ivorians came straight back after the interval and equalised through Drogba's superb long range free kick.

Cameroon kept up the pressure, dominating the midfield with Geremi creating endless opportunities down the right wing.

The Ivory Coast will now only qualify if the beat Sudan away on 7 October and Cameroon slip up in their final qualifier.

Elsewhere, Libya qualified for the Nations Cup finals for the first time since 1982 after a 0-0 draw against Sudan in Tripoli.