Ivory Coast finish top of Group One with ten points

Ivory Coast secured their place at the 2008 African Cup of Nations despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Gabon on Saturday.

The Elephants clinched Group One's automatic ticket to the tournament in Ghana after finishing top of the group with ten points.

Gabon needed a six-goal victory over 2006 Nations Cup runners-up to claim the group's only ticket but it was not to be as the Ivorians dominated the game the first-half.

The home side improved their game after the interval but the Ivory Coast defence marshalled by Arsenal's Kolo Toure was resolute.

Gabon finish second on the table with seven points while Madagascar occupy the bottom spot with no points.

The group had only three teams because Djibouti withdrew.

Ivory Coast also qualified for last year's World Cup in Germany.

Despite being in the toughest group along with Argentina and the Netherlands, the Elephants finished third by beating Serbia-Montenegro in their final group match.