Ivory Coast secured a place at the World Cup finals in South Africa next year after Didier Drogba struck within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to clinch a 1-1 draw with Malawi on Saturday.

The Ivorians, needing only a draw with the bottom-placed

team in African qualifying Group E, had to come from behind

after the hosts took a surprise 64th minute lead through Jacob

Ngwira.

Drogba's immediate intervention from the substitutes' bench

put the favourites back on course and they held out for the

point they needed.

The result brought an end to the Ivorians' 100 percent run

in the group but confirmed a second successive trip to the World

Cup for the west African nation.

Ghana have already qualified from Group D, while South

Africa qualify as hosts. Three more places from Africa are still

up for grabs.

Chelsea striker Drogba was in buoyant mood after the game, delighted to have helped his team qualify for another World Cup.

"This is the second time Ivory Coast is in the World Cup," said Drogba. "You know, the country has never done that before.So, it is good for us. We are really happy."