Jonathan Kodjia struck the only goal as Ivory Coast defeated South Africa 1-0 in the steamy Cairo heat on Monday in a meeting of former Africa Cup of Nations champions. South Africa, who failed to qualify for the 2017 edition, on the other hand, have arrived in Egypt as one of the most unpredictable teams. Ivory Coast headed home early in Gabon after they were held by Togo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and lost against Morocco, but they nearly took the lead here twice in quick succession around the half-hour. The South Africa goalkeeper then produced a stunning reflex save to keep Kodjia out moments later as the Aston Villa forward ran clean through before needlessly opting for power over precision. South Africa substitute Lars Veldwijk tumbled to the ground under pressure from Serge Kanon late on as they pressed for an equaliser, while Pepe was denied a second for Ivory Coast from another free-kick following a flying save by Williams.

Source: Punch June 24, 2019 16:25 UTC