South Africa narrowly lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group D opener played at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Monday evening.
Aston Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia scored the decisive goal in the 64th minute, having latched on to Max Gradel’s precise pass before side-footing through the legs of goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
From the kick-off, it was clear the match would be an evenly contested encounter as Elephants refused to let Bafana Bafana take hold on the game.
The first real chance of the match fell to Nicolas Pepe in the 17th minute, but he disappointingly shot well over the crossbar.
South Africa were struggling to find their rhythm going forward after the half-hour mark and they hardly threatened goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, in most cases letting themselves down in the final third.
The Ivorians missed a big opportunity to go ahead after Michael Seri was sent through on the left side of the box by Serge Aurier, however, Williams denied the Fulham midfielder at the near post with a fine save.
South Africa ended a bit strong towards halftime but were unable to get behind the Elephants defence despite a late shot from Percy Tau sailing wide off a counterattack.
The second half started slowly, as no side posed a threat to the other in their attacking forays.
South Africa were made to pay for their sloppy passing, as Ivory Coast finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when Kodjia latched onto a long pass from Gradel to poke past Williams from close-range.
Bafana Bafana made their first change immediately thereafter as Sibusiso Vilakazi came on for Lebohang Maboe while Lars Veldwijk came on for Mothiba minutes later as they went in search of an equaliser.
They nearly responded from a corner but the brilliance of Gbohuo first denied Themba Zwane from close range and then Vilakazi seconds later with a thump to the post.
The Ivorians had the chance to make it two, but after good work from Pepe to set up Max Gradel, the winger couldn’t take advantage after shooting from inside the box.
Stuart Baxter’s troops pressurised the Ivorians for the equaliser in the closing minutes but they were unable to bypass the Elephants defence as Ibrahim Camara’s charges held on for the win.
Here’s how they lined up:
Bafana: Williams, Hlanti, Mkhwanazi, Hlatshwayo, Mkhize, Mokotjo, Furman, Maboe, Zwane, Tau, Mothiba.
Subs: Keet, Bvuma, Maela, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Kekana, Mabunda, Zungu, Serero, Lorch, Veldwijk, Vilakazi.
Ivory Coast: Gbohouo; Coulibaly, Kanon, Traore, Wonlo, Aurier, Die, Kessie, Gradel, Seri, Pepe, Kodijia.
