AFCON 2019
Ivory Coast 1-0 South Africa
30 June Stadium, Cairo
Monday, 24-06-2019
CAIRO – Jonathan Kodjia second half strike was enough to inspire two time continental champions Ivory Coast to a 1-0 win over 1996 winners South Africa in a group D clash on Monday evening.
The Ivorian head coach, Ibrahim Kamara named Wilfried Zaha, Wilfried Bony, Maxwel Cornett on the bench as Lille youngster Nicolas Pepe joined Jonathan Kodjia and Max Alain Gradel in the attack.
The Elephants dominated the proceedings, however Bafana Bafana had the first chance of the game in the 25th minute but Thulani Hlatshwayo failed to fire past Sylvain Gbohouo.
Moments later, Pepe’s curling free kick struck the crossbar before Kodjia was denied by Ronwen Williams. At halftime breather, it was goalless.
In the second period, the elephants continued to dominate possession, with the South Africans pinned in their own half.
Kodjia broke the deadlock in the 65th minute latching onto Gradel quality cross to fire past Williams.
Three minutes later, Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha was introduced on for Jean Michel Seri. Bafana also brought on Sibusiso Vilakazi for Lebohang Maboe, before Lars Veldwijk came on for Mothiba 10 minutes to normal time.
Pepe nearly doubled the Elephants lead from a free kick in the final minute but was again denied by a stretching Williams.
By fulltime whistle, the West African giants were able to hold on to their first victory over the South Africans. Ivory Coast will next play Morocco on Friday, while Bafana will turn their attention to Namibia on the same day.
The other games to be played on Monday
-Tunisia vs Angola
-Mali vs Mauritania
Tuesday’s fixtures
-Cameroon vs Guinea-Bissau
-Ghana vs Benin
