Ivory Coast's Jonathan Kodjia, center, scores his side's opening goal during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and S...
Ivory Coast's Jonathan Kodjia, center, scores his side's opening goal during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Ivory Coast's Jonathan Kodjia kicks the ball as South Africa's goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes a save during the African Cup of Nations group D socce...
Ivory Coast's Jonathan Kodjia kicks the ball as South Africa's goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes a save during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. Ivory Coast won1-0. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
South Africa's Thulani Hlatshwayo, foreground, fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Franck Yannick jessie during the African Cup of Nations group D ...
South Africa's Thulani Hlatshwayo, foreground, fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Franck Yannick jessie during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Ivory Coast's Serge Wilfried Kanon, left, and Ivory Coast's Serge Aurier celebrate end of the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivor...
Ivory Coast's Serge Wilfried Kanon, left, and Ivory Coast's Serge Aurier celebrate end of the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
South Africa team players pose prior to the start of the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam ...
South Africa team players pose prior to the start of the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
South Africa's Lebo Mothiba, left, fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Serge Wilfried Kanon during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match ...
South Africa's Lebo Mothiba, left, fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Serge Wilfried Kanon during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
CAIRO (AP) — Ivory Coast began its campaign in the African Cup of Nations' toughest group with a 1-0 win over South Africa on Monday.
The Ivorians edged an early crunch game at the tournament in Egypt when Jonathan Kodjia finished neatly from a cross by Max Gradel in the second half.
The striker's goal was enough, although Nicolas Pepe hit the crossbar with a free kick for Ivory Coast in the first half and was denied again near the end when another free kick was saved brilliantly by Ronwen Williams.
Group D has three former champions in Ivory Coast, South Africa and Morocco. Morocco beat Namibia 1-0 on Sunday.
In Monday's second game, Angola scored a late equalizer to draw 1-1 with Tunisia in Group E when Djalma Campos pounced on a goalkeeper error.
Youssef M'Sakni gave Tunisia the lead in the first half from the penalty spot.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
