Cote d'Ivoire qualified for their third World Cup in a row by drawing 1-1 with Senegal in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Ivorians emerged as 4-2 aggregate winners, but it took a Salomon
Kalou goal deep into stoppage time to make sure of their place in
Brazil.
A Moussa Sow penalty late in the game had put Senegal within one strike of taking the place themselves.
The 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists missed a golden chance seconds before Kalou struck on the counter-attack, reports the BBC.
The equaliser was barely deserved but Ivorians will give that little
thought as they begin to make plans for next summer's tournament in
Brazil.
In both 2006 and 2010, the Elephants were placed in tough groups so
they will be hoping for kinder opposition when the draw for the finals
is made on 6 December.
They qualify unbeaten but that record was in serious danger after a largely lifeless display by Sabri Lamouchi's side.
The match was played in Morocco after Senegal were barred from
playing in Dakar following a riot at a Nations Cup qualifier against the
Ivorians last year.
Denied home advantage, the 2002 World Cup quarter-finalists
nevertheless forced much of the play, after coach Alain Giresse made
five changes to the side that lost 3-1 in last month's opening leg in
Abidjan.
Having overlooked Chelsea striker Demba Ba for the tie, the
Frenchman continued to surprise by dropping regular captain Mohamed
Diame.
But it was one of those who retained his starting place, Dame Ndoye,
who had the first chance, his header goalwards acrobatically cleared by
Didier Drogba.
Denmark-based Ndoye further troubled.
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