Group D sees Ivory coast taking a narrow edge over South Africa as the score board at full time read 1-0 to place them on top of the group with 3 points alongside Morocco while SA and Namibia are yet to get things going.

Striker Jonathan Kodjia finished off from close range, a low cross from Max Gradel at the 64th minute to put the Ivorians on the driving seat a victory that will not get into their heads as captain Serge Aurier projects into the next group game against Morocco.

Clearly there are still hope for South Africa.

But the Malians soared highest as they welcomed debutants Mauritania with a 4-1 party spoiler to go on top of group E.

This far it is the highest scoreline in the competition while Adama Traore of Mali is already on two goals.

Nature has reserved the defending champions for last as Cameroon begins her defending today Tuesday when they take on Guinea Bissau who have been tagged as underdogs in group F, featuring Ghana and Benin.

Mali mauls Madagascar, champions start title defense

The African Cup of Nations, AFCON, the continent’s biggest football showpiece is underway in Egypt. It kicked off on June 21 after a spectacular opening ceremony.

Hosts, Egypt, went on to beat Zimbabwe by a lone goal in the first game of the tournament. Matches continue to played across the six groups and Africanews is keeping you up to date with the very latest.

GROUP A: Egypt – DR Congo – Uganda – Zimbabwe
GROUP B: Nigeria – Guinea – Madagascar – Burundi
GROUP C: Senegal – Algeria – Tanzania – Kenya
GROUP D: Morocco – Ivory Coast – South Africa – Namibia
GROUP E: Tunisia – Mali – Angola – Mauritania
GROUP F: Cameroon – Ghana – Benin – Guinea-Bissau

June 25: Day 5 fixtures

Today will see two matches honoured at the Ismailia Stadium in Egypt with the defending champions kick starting their in the early game against Guinea Bissau.

The final fixture will be an all West African affair as Ghana play Benin. A fun fact of the group is that all the countries have the same colours constituting their flags.

Red – Yellow – Green. The arrangement and colour placement differs with Benin the only country without a star. Ghana and Guinea-Bissau have black flags whiles Cameroon has a yellow flag.

Group F, call it the Red – Yellow – Green flag group will wrap up Day One of the preliminary stage.

June 24: Results from Day 4 fixtures

Ivory Coast (1) vs South Africa (0)
Tunisia (1) vs Angola (1)
Mali (4) vs Mauritania (1)

Mali vs Mauritania

Mali secures an emphatic victory against tournament debutants, Madagascar, earning AFCON2019’s biggest win so far.

73’ Traore scores his second of the night, and Mali’s fourth goal.

72’ Moctar Sidi El Hacen scores from the penalty spot to score Mauritania’s first goal in AFCONhistory.

55’ Adama Traore scores to stretch Mali’s lead.

45’ Moussa Marega doubles Mali’s lead, scoring from the penalty spot.

37’ Abdoulaye Diaby scores to give Mali the lead.

June 24: Tunisia vs Angola

After 90 minutes, Tunisia and Angola share the spoils (1-1), earning a point each. More action from Group E follows shortly, as Mali take on debutants Mauritania.

73’ Abel Campos equalises for Angola

34’ Youssef Msakni gives Tunisia the lead through a penalty

June 24: Ivory Coast vs South Africa

It’s all over. The Ivorians start their campaign with a 1-0 victory, at the expense of South Africa.Ivory Coast now jointly top Group D with Morocco, with three points apiece.

64’ Jonathan Kodjia scores to give the Ivorians the lead against Bafana Bafana.

June 24: Day 3 fixtures

With Morocco’s victory against Namibia, Ivory Coast will be up against South Africa for the final Group D fixture today in Cairo.

The action will turn fully to Group E where Tunisia and Angola square off after which the all West Africa affair will see debutants Mauritania play Mali.

Burundi – another debutant – lost their Group B opener against Nigeria whiles debutants Madagascar had lots of positives to take in their 2 – 2 draw with Guinea in the same group.

Ivory Coast vs. South Africa (Al Salam Stadium, Cairo)
Tunisia vs. Angola (Suez Army Stadium, Suez)
Mali vs. Mauritania (Suez Army Stadium, Suez)

June 23: Results from Day 4 fixtures

Algeria vs. Kenya 2 – 0
Senegal vs. Tanzania 2 – 0
Morocco vs. Namibia 1 – 0

June 23: Senegal secures full marks against Tanzania

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars failed to shine in their return to the AFCON when the Ternaga Lions of Senegal proved too strong for them in their first fixture at the tournament.

Two goals – one in each half – ensured that Aliou Cisse’s charges secured three points. The goals were scored by Balde (28’) and a screamer by Diatta (65’).

Diatta was named man of the match in a game that analysts say underlines the potential of the Senegalese team as potential contenders for the trophy.

It was a game with two African coaches, Senegal’s Cisse and Tanzania’s Emmanuel Amunike but at the end of proceedings, it was Cisse who took home the three points.