CAIRO, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- With a bit of luck and a brilliant goalkeeper, Cote d'Ivoire, dubbed as the Elephants, beat Morocco 1-0 here on Saturday in a Group A match in the 25th African Nations Cup.

The Morocco, nicknamed the Atlas Lions, enjoyed a clear advantage in the first half, especially their competent midfielders caused some trouble for their opponents, but none of the strikers managed to send the fall home.

Cote d'Ivoire's England-based Didier Drogba nearly scored for the Elephants in the 26th minute when his header narrowly missed the target.
Drogba, a star striker for the English Premiership league team Chelsea, was pulled down by Walid Regragui three minutes later and Cote d'Ivoire was given a penalty.

However, television replays showed the foul was actually committed outside the penalty area. Drogba converted the penalty kick into a goal.
Morocco came very close to scoring an equalizer in the 42nd minute when Maroune Chamakh got a free header in the penalty area and caused a little bit panic at the goalmouth.

Cote d'Ivoire's goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie, who has been in good form during the whole match, made several wonderful saves, helping the Elephants lead all through the first half.

The Elephants played with much more confidence during the second half and Tizie continued his brilliance performance.

Morocco's coach Mohammed Fakir was seen grow impatient as the match drew to a close. Both teams played hard but neither managed to score later.

Lineups:
Morocco: Tarek Jarmouni; Walid Regragui, Talal El Karkouri, Nouredine Naybet, Mohamed Yaacoubi (Hicham Aboucherouane, 84), Houssine Kharja (Ali Boussabon, 83), Youssef Safri, Youssef Chippo, Badr El Kaddouri, Marouane Chamakh, Youssef Hadji.

Ivory Coast: Jean-Jacques Tizie; Arthur Boka, Emmanuel Eboue, Koffi Blaise Kouassi, Kolo Toure, Kanga Akale, Emerse Fae, Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora, Bonaventure Kalou, Didier Drogba (Arouna Kone,65).

Referee: Jerome Domon (South Africa)