24 Jun 2019
That is it folks, thank you for choosing Sport24 to catch this epic encounter between Bafana Bafana and Ivory Coast.
South Africa's Next match on Friday (22:00 SA time) against Namibia.
Enjoy the rest of your evening!
24 Jun 2019
MATCH REPORT: Bafana suffer opening AFCON loss to Ivory Coast
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24 Jun 2019
FULL-TIME: Ivory Coast 1-0 Bafana Bafana
24 Jun 2019
90' Four minutes of additional time added on ...
24 Jun 2019
88' Another dead ball situation here for Ivory Coast on the edge of the penalty area. Pepe is behind it ...
SAVE! Williams with a brilliant fingertip save as Pepe targets the top left corner.
24 Jun 2019
86' Double change for Ivory Coast:
Coulibaly off > Doumbia on
Gradel off > Cornet on
24 Jun 2019
83' Furman dinks a low cross towards Tau, who is anchored on the left flank. He sees Veldwijk raising his hand and whips in a cross. The striker seemingly challenged to the ground. Referee waves play on.
24 Jun 2019
81' Finally, Veldwijk takes to the field with Mothiba being withdrawn.
24 Jun 2019
78' Strange change by Baxter. Would really have expected Lorch or Veldwijk to be on the field right now. Don't know why the wait. Some players need to be take off.
24 Jun 2019
76' Dead ball situation for Bafana Bafana as Hlanti whips in a cross that curls away from the Green jerseys.
24 Jun 2019
75' Maboe is taken off with Vilakazi introduced.
24 Jun 2019
73' DID YOU KNOW?
Ivory Coast has NEVER won Bafana Bafana in SIX occasions. FOUR of those matches were settled with a draw while South Africa beat the West Africans twice.
History in the making ...
24 Jun 2019
71' Sibusiso Vilakazi seems to be called from warming up ... Interesting option if he is introduced.
24 Jun 2019
69' Brilliant change by Ivory Coast. Zaha will come in handy and further tire out Bafana Bafana's wide players.
Beware!
24 Jun 2019
68' As expected Seri comes off for Wilfred Zaha ...
24 Jun 2019
66' South Africa needs an immediate response. Over to you Baxter!
24 Jun 2019
South Africa's defence eventually breached as Kodjia taps the ball past Williams. Buhle and Hlatshwayo attempt to play the offside trap but Mkhize plays the Ivorian striker onside.
24 Jun 2019
64' GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!
24 Jun 2019
62' CHANCE! Hlanti whips in a good ball across the goal but no Bafana Bafana player is able to get on the end of it, allowing the Ivorians to clear.
24 Jun 2019
60' Still goalless at the Al Salam Stadium.
24 Jun 2019
57' Throwing Veldwijk into this encounter won't hurt. His physique could be worth a try with creative Lorch as well.
24 Jun 2019
55' It definitely seem as Ivory Coast are going all out and if things don't happen soon. Expect a few changes. A pacey Zaha is on the bench as well as Bony who could be useful.
24 Jun 2019
51' Decision making in the final third and when a counter attack can break is the difference for South Africa and creating chances at goal because they're struggling to hold onto the ball as the pressure from Ivory Coast seems to still have an affect on the players.
24 Jun 2019
48' Hlanti and Mkhize could create the width that Bafana Bafana need up front commit that many numbers forward could be dangerous. Also, do the two have what it takes to take these Ivorians on?
24 Jun 2019
45' Second-half is underway ...
24 Jun 2019
45' HALF-TIME!
After two minutes of additional time added on the referee brings the first half to a stop.
An intense first-half. Ivory Coast had goal scoring chance blocked by Ronwen Williams while Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo's headed effort went inches over the crossbar.
24 Jun 2019
40' Bafana Bafana have attempted to play on the counter but fail to manage the game in midfield as it seems they are too concerned with worrying about the feisty Ivorians.
24 Jun 2019
37' Meanwhile, there has been two yellow cards issued out. Bafana Bafana's Lebo Mothiba receiving a caution while Ivory Coast's Jean Michael Seri sees yellow as well.
24 Jun 2019
35' As soon as South Africa commit too many numbers forward Ivory Coast are even more dangerous on the counter attack.
24 Jun 2019
32' SAVE! Williams once again to the rescue with a top draw block as Kodjia attempts to blast his effort past the 'keeper.
24 Jun 2019
31' Oh boy. A late challenge by Furman on Pepe. One that he needed to commit thought. Free-kick on the edge of the penalty box.
CHANCE! Pepe hits the upright! Williams looked like he had it covered. But that was close
24 Jun 2019
27' Percy Tau stands over the ball and whips in teasing cross towards the 18th area and Hlanti the closest to the effort but referee blows the whistle for a foul.
24 Jun 2019
That one came from a corner-kick ... now another set piece chance to follow for South Africa.
24 Jun 2019
25' CHANCE! And just as I mention height as problem for South Africa, Thulani Hlatshwayo goes close with giving Bafana Bafana the lead with a headed effort.
24 Jun 2019
23' Unnecessary crosses from Mkhize when height is a factor. Should really be keeping the play as low as possible.
24 Jun 2019
21' Prior to this match it was evident that Ivory Coast would be physically dominate. And so it shows in this opening 20 minutes already. They're quick to close any green shirt down and even better with applying pressure when not on the ball.
24 Jun 2019
17' Bafana Bafana need to starting slapping the ball around. Gather a few passes and attack these Ivorians. Sitting back for long periods would sink in.
24 Jun 2019
15' First corner of the match but the Ivory Coast player sends it long and deep. Nothing comes of it.
24 Jun 2019
12' CHANCE! Zwane puts Maboe through but the Ivory Coast keeper reads the situation well.
24 Jun 2019
9' Williams dinking the ball out of play. His seen the ball plenty in the last five minutes now. His composure has been tops so far.
24 Jun 2019
8' Furman and Mokotjo doing the miles already just in front of the defensive line.
24 Jun 2019
7' Game management will be important for both sides. Ivory Coast however are seeing most of the ball in the opening stages of the game but no real threat.
24 Jun 2019
5' A bit compact in the opening stages by the South Africans as expected. Would want to ease into the game with the heat factor playing a major factor.
24 Jun 2019
3' CHANCE! Pepe with an amazing run to play in Kodjia, who eventually ruined a goal threatening attack with stumbling over his own feet.
24 Jun 2019
1' First-half is underway at the Al Salam Stadium with Mothiba getting things started.