Cote d'Ivoire continued their fine performance in the 25th African Nations Cup as they beat Libya here on Tuesday in a Group A match of.

Tuesday's win came three days after the Elephants beat Morocco 1-0 and Cote d'Ivoire has already collected six points after two matches, enough to make them become the first team to qualify for the next round of competition.

The Elephants took the an early lead in the 9th minute when Didier Drogba sent the ball home after Libya's goalkeeper Osman Walid spilled a weak shot from Aruna Kone.

Libya tried to fight back after Cote d'Ivoire's goal and they created several chances. Captain El Taib was particularly active. The Greens got a freekick in the 17th minute after Cote d'Ivoire's Abdoulaye Meite fouled Abdelsalam Khamis near the Cote d'Ivoire's penalty area. Unfortunately Taib's shot flew over the crossbar.

Khamis helped the Greens equalize shortly before half-time when he took advantage of Cote d'Ivoire's hesitant defense players, rising above the Elephants backline to head home Jihad Muntasir's cross from the right.

Yaya Toure put the Cote d'Ivoire back in the lead again in the 74th minute when his header eluded Libya's defense.

After Tuesday's defeat, Libya became the first team to say good-bye to the tournament and now they need to fight hard if they want to exit with grace.

Line-up:
Ivory Coast: Jean-Jacques Tizie, Marc Zoro, Etienne Boka, Kolo Toure, Abdoulaye Meite, Didier Zokora, Kanga Akale, Gnegneri Toure (Emerse Fae 88), Gilles Yappi Yapo (Kalou Bonaventure 70), Arouna Kone (Bakari Kone 81), Didier Drogba.

Libya: Muftah Ghzalla, Osama Hamady, Younes Shibani, Essam Blal, Naje Shushan, Abdesalam Khames, Tarek El Taib (capt) (Ahmed Osman 77), Marel Suliman (Khaled Hussen 83), Jehad Muntasser (Salem Rewani 77), Nader al-Tarhoni, Nader Karra.

Referee: Maidin Shamsul (SIN)