3 Reasons why Ivory Coast won against South Africa| African Cup Of Nations 2019

Jonathan Kodjia of Ivory Coast celebrates with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: EPA/GAVIN BARKER
Jonathan Kodjia of Ivory Coast celebrates with teammates during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Photo: EPA/GAVIN BARKER

#1 Timely substitution of Zaha in place of Seri

Wilfred Zaha is expected to start the next game.
Wilfred Zaha is expected to start the next game.

Jean Michaël Seri started in the middle of the pitch, but from the beginning it seemed he was out of position and did not look comfortable with the ball.

What Ivory Coast needed from the beginning was the lethal combination of Zaha and Pepe running riot on the flanks to be more definitive in the final third.

This would've seen them get more than their sorry tally of three shots on goal in the 90 minutes and who knows, the Crystal Palace talisman might've fancied being on the scoresheet as well.

Soon after Ivory Coast got their goal, Kamara made the call to bring in Zaha as their first substitute in place of Seri, who had been booked for a challenge in the first half.

Zaha's inclusion had the desired effect and pushed the South African team even deep into their own half, as they were forced to defend rather than go all out on attack with the presence of the fleet-footed forward on the wing.

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