It wasn’t the best of starts for African teams but Franck Kessie was the star of the day as the football event in the summer Olympics kicked off on Thursday.
The AC Milan midfielder was the hero of the day as helped his country to a winning start in what was a day of mixed results for African teams in the football event at Tokyo2020.
Ivory Coast survived a scare to defeat Saudi Arabia 2-1 thanks to an own goal and a beautiful second half goal from Kessie.
Saudi was the better team, but the Ivorina rode their lucky all through the game to seal the win, but were not so lucky when Aboubacar Doumbia came on from the bench on 90 minutes only to be sent off in added time following an altercation with Saudi players.
Elsewhere, Egypt held Spain to a goalless draw while South Africa narrowly lost 1-0 to Japan in the final game of the day for African teams.
Real Madrid youngster Takefusa Kubo scored the all-important winner for the Japanese youngsters late on in the second half.
On Sunday, the CIV will play Group D leaders Brasil, Egypt take on Argentina in Group C while the Rainbow nation, South Africa have their hands full against fellow Group A side and European giants France, who suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss to Mexico in their opener.
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