Bafana slip to narrow defeat in Afcon opener

A well-taken second half strike from Jonathan Kodjia was enough to give the Ivory Coast a 1-0 win over Bafana Bafana in a tense 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash at the Al Salam Stadium on Monday
afternoon.

Kodjia made up for a wasted opportunity in the first half, when he was kept out by Bafana’s surprise first choice goalkeeper for Ronwen Williams, by slotting low past the Bafana’ keeper in the 63rd minute.

Bafana could not be faulted for effort on a stiflingly hot day, but failed to create many clearcut opportunities against the Elephants, who also hit the crossbar.

Stuart Baxter made a shock selection with Williams in goal, even though Darren Keet was superb in Bafana’s win over Libya in qualifying that got them to Afcon 2019. But the young SuperSport ‘keeper had a
fine game overall, also saving a late free kick from Nicolas Pepe.

Lebo Maboe got the nod ahead of Thulani Serero on the left, with the Vitesse Arnhem man on the bench, as was the PSL Footballer of the Season Thembinkosi Lorch.

For the Ivory Coast, Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha was named as a substitute, as was veteran striker Wilfried Bony, with Ibrahima Kamara prefering Max Gradel on the left wing and Jonathan Kodja up front.

The game was played at a pace to be expected in the conditions, with both sides patient in possession and probing for openings.

In just the third minute, Ivorian star attacker Pepe flew past Kamohelo Mokotjo and Sifiso Hlanti down the right and played a deft pass into Jonathan Kodjia, but he fell over his own feet trying to shoot.

Bafana then almost had an opening as Lebo Mothiba headed his strike partner Percy Tau through on goal, but the offside flag swiftly went  up.

Buhle Mkhwanazi did well to get his head to a dangerous cross with Kodja looming at the back post, and then Themba Zwane slightly overhit a pass in trying to release Maboe.

Mothiba picked up a slightly innocuous booking from Algerian referee Mustapha Ghorbal in the 23rd minute, which looked as if it was for dissent, rather than the foul the Bafana striker made.

Bafana’s best chance of the half came three minutes later, as Tau’s corner found its way all the way to Hlanti, whose excellent cross was met by the head of Thulani Hlatshwayo, but his effort hit the
stanchion behind the goal.

The Elephants struck the woodwork in 13 minutes before the break, Nicolas Pepe winning a free kick and then curling a glorious effort against the top of the crossbar.

And the Ivory Coast really should have scored when a misjudged back-header from Hlatshwayo sent Kodjia through on goal, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Williams.

Both sides continued to find it hard to create openings in the second half. Tau produced one brilliant piece of control in the 61st minute, but couldn’t find a cut back to match from the byline, and Bafanacontinued to cause the Ivory Coast problems from set pieces, without finding a final touch.

But a slight loss of concentration from the Barfana defence and one brilliant cross gave the Ivory Coast the lead in the 63rd minute. After a bit of midfield ping-pong, the ball was played into Max Gradelin far too much space down the left, who produced a perfect cross for Kodja, and this time the Ivorian striker hit the back of the net.

Baxter brought on Sibusiso Vilakazi for Lebo Maboe to try and change  the game in the 75th minute, and he nearly did immediately, one fine piece of skill and cross only just gathered by Gbohouo.

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