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.

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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 PhotoAriel Schalit)

Ivory Coast began its campaign in the African Cup of Nations' toughest group with a 1-0 win over South Africa on Monday.
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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

Group D has three former champions in Ivory Coast, South Africa and Morocco. Morocco beat Namibia 1-0 on Sunday.
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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

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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 PhotoHassan 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 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)
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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 PhotoAriel Schalit)

Ivory Coast began its campaign in the African Cup of Nations' toughest group with a 1-0 win over South Africa on Monday.

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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

Group D has three former champions in Ivory Coast, South Africa and Morocco. Morocco beat Namibia 1-0 on Sunday.

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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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 PhotoHassan 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 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)

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.

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 PhotoAriel Schalit)

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 PhotoAriel Schalit)

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.

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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

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 PhotoHassan Ammar)

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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 PhotoHassan 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 Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan 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 between Ivory Coast and South Africa in Al Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, June 24, 2019. (AP PhotoHassan Ammar)