Ivory Coast beat Bafana in African Cup
Jonathan Kodjia struck 26 minutes from time to hand the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over South Africa as the two former champions kicked off their African Cup of Nations campaigns in Cairo.
Kodjia squandered several earlier chances before finally breaking the deadlock in the 64th minute of the Group D match at the Al Salam Stadium at one of the Egyptian capital's suburbs on Monday.
The goal was scored at the end of a swift move out of defence by the Elephants.
It took just two passes to find the forward, who was goalside of the defence and had only the keeper to beat.
The Ivorians also struck the woodwork just after the half hour mark as Nicolas Pepe curled a left-footed effort onto the crossbar.
Pepe had another set piece chance two minutes from time but Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a finger-tip stop to deny the Ivorians a second.
With the temperature in the stadium touching 36C, it stifled the tempo of what was a largely scrappy affair.
South Africa, who won their only Cup of Nations title in 1996, were unable to get their short passing game going and only had one half chance which captain Thulani Hlatshwayo headed wide of goal.
Angola salvaged a surprise but deserved 1-1 draw against an uninspired Tunisia after Djalma Campos cancelled out a Youssef Msakni penalty in their opener.
Tunisia went ahead against the run of play in the 34th minute of the Group E match in Suez when Msakni fired his spot kick into the roof of the net after Naim Sliti was upended by Salomao Paizo.
But Tunisia, firm favourites to win the group, failed to build on the lead and Djalma made them pay by snapping up a rebound after Tunisia goalkeeper Farouk Ben Mustapha failed to hold a shot in the 73rd minute.
Mali produced three stunning goals as they thumped tournament debutants Mauritania 4-1.
Abdoulaye Diaby fired Mali ahead and Moussa Marega converted a penalty to put Mali 2-0 ahead by half-time.
Adama Traore added a third before being substituted by his namesake Adama Traore who then scored the fourth, both from outside the penalty area.
In between, El Hacen El Id made history by converting a penalty for Mauritania's first-ever goal at the tournament.
