Cameroon coach Volker Finke insisted his team had given everything despite a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast on Wednesday which saw them eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stage.

A solitary first-half goal by Max-Alain Gradel did for the Indomitable Lions, who bow out without winning a match in Group D, having previously drawn 1-1 with both Mali and Guinea.

"I think really the Ivory Coast took advantage of a little mistake we made in the first half to score the goal," said Finke.

"We tried really hard. Everyone gave their best, so that's why we can't say the team didn't try to the end.

"In the second half everyone gave a lot but there weren't many clear chances. In the first half we had two or three really good chances but didn't score and that is the reason we lost."

Captain Stephane Mbia added: "The boys gave everything on the pitch. It's disappointing because we didn't qualify but we need to be positive because the team is young and the best is still to come."