Senegal and West Ham's Mohamed Diame (left) battles with Man City's Ivorian Kolo Toure
Arsenal star Gervinho was on target as Ivory Coast twice came from behind to overcome Senegal 4-2 in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying play-off first leg encounter.
Gervinho's goal made the score 2-2 and cancelled out a spectacular 25-yard header from Senegal's Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse in a match featuring a host of Barclays Premier League players including Manchester City's Kolo Toure and West Ham United's Mohamed Diame.
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba scored the third goal for the Ivory Coast.
Fulham midfielder Mohamadou Diarra and West Ham's new signing Modibo Maiga helped Mali complete a routine 3-0 triumph over Botswana.
Togo earned a 1-1 draw in Gabon as Tottenham Hotspur's Emmanuel Adebayor scored a crucial late equaliser.
