IVORY COAST, TUNISIA ZAANZA VEMA AFCON

Misfiring Arsenal forward Gervinho popped up in the 88th minute to clinch an opening victory for the Ivory Coast over Togo.

Yaya Toure had put the Ivory Coast a goal up before Jonathan Ayite equalised for Togo on the stroke of half-time.

But Manchester City talisman Toure found Gervinho with a freekick in the final moments of the game and the out-of-favour Arsenal striker finished with aplomb to ensure the tournament favourites started with a win.

Sublime: Gervinho latched on to a Yaya Toure ball to score the winner for the Ivory Coast

MATCH FACTS

Ivory Coast: Barry, Tiene, Toure, Bamba, Eboue, Gervinho, Konan (Tiote 63), Zokora, Gradel (Kalou 60), Toure, Drogba (Bony 74).

Subs Not Used: Yeboah, Kone, Boka, Romaric, Razak, Lacina Traore, Lolo, Ismael Traore, Ali Sangare.

Booked: Gradel.

Goals: Toure 8,Gervinho 88.

Togo: Agassa, Mamah, Nibombe (Salifou 90), Bossou, Djene, Amewou, Akakpo, Romao, Adebayor, Jonathan Ayite (Segbefia 78), Gakpe (Floyd Ayite 61).

Subs Not Used: Atsu,Wome,Mani,Ouro-Akoriko, Placca, Ametepe, Donou, Damessi, Tchagouni.

Booked: Bossou, Romao, Nibombe.

Goals: Jonathan Ayite 45.

Att: 2,000.

Ref: Neant Alioum (Cameroon).

However Togo nearly equalised again in the fourth and final minute of added time, but Floyd Ayite's header from close range drew a great save from Ivorian goalkeeper Boubacar Barry.

Earlier in the match, defender Dare Nibombe appeared to have scored the second goal for Togo in the 60th minute, however the referee had yet to blow his whistle to allow a corner to be taken.

Led by former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and several players from European clubs, Ivory Coast struggled to create many chances against a well-organized Togo team, whose scoring opportunities mostly fell to Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The Ivorians, who last won the title in 1992, are trying to come back from a disappointing loss to Zambia in a penalty shootout in last year's final.

Ivory Coast got off the mark in the eighth minute after Gervinho beat his marker on the right side and rifled in a low cross to Toure.

The City midfielder struck from just inside the box as the ball deflected off a defender before going into the net, fooling Togo goalkeeper Kossi Agassa.

Premier League stars: Kolo Toure (right), Cheick Tiote (left) and Emmanuel Adebayor (centre) all took part

Talisman: Yaya Toure (centre) scored within 10 minutes

Toure might have had a second after he hit the post in the 44th minute, but it was Togo who scored just a few moments later.

Didier Zokora, who wore a shirt with the name 'maestro' emblazoned on the back, anchored the midfield behind Toure.

Ayite cancelled out Toure's goal when he struck home a right-footed shot after a low corner cross from the right, the ball bouncing just in front of Barry before finding the back of the net.

High praise: Gervinho acknowledged the baying crowd in Rustenburg

Toure was in the thick of it again 15 minutes from the final whistle, but his shot from near the penalty spot was saved by Agassa.

Yaya’s brother, Kolo, was spared blushed by his former team-mate Adebayor after the City defender’s mistake left the Togo forward ebaring down on Barry’s goal. But Adebayor made the wrong decision, and was unable to successfully round the incoming goalkeeper.

Captain Drogba will be pleased his country were off to a winning start, as the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations is likely to be his final in the orange of the Ivory Coast.