Ivory Coast came close to breaking the deadlock twice in the space of a minute, with Nicolas Pepe crashing a free-kick off the crossbar before Kodjia was clean through on goal after pouncing on a poor defensive header from Hlatshwayo, only to smash his shot straight at goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

Kodjia made no mistake with his next chance in the second half, stabbing home Gradel's first-time cross after being left in acres of space by the South African defence.

South Africa rarely threatened to find an equaliser but felt they should have had a late penalty when substitute Lars Veldwijk went down in the area under a challenge from Thamsanqa Mkhize.

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