Ivory Coast came from a goal down at home to beat Mali 3-1 in their opening Group C clash of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Bouake on Saturday. The hosts made a poor start and trailed to an 18th-minute goal from Mali's Sambou Yatabare, who sent a lofted ball over the advancing keeper to put his side ahead. It took eight minutes for Ivory Coast to react, with Jonathan Kodjia netting the equaliser before Mali defender Salif Coulibaly scoring in his own net to give the Elephants a 2-1 lead. Experienced forward Gervinho, who plays for Hebei China Fortune, added the third with a superb volley from a tight angle on 34 minutes. Ivory Coast are leading their group with three points after Morocco played out a 0-0 draw with Gabon earlier in the day. Ivory Coast will visit Morocco in the second matchday on 7 November, while Mali will host Gabon. Elsewhere, DR Congo made an impressive start to their Group A campaign after crushing Libya 4-0 at home. Two goals from striker Dieumerci Mbokani and Jonathan Bolingi gave DR Congo a 2-0 first-half lead. In the second half, Mbokani scored again in the 56th minute and Firmin Mubele Ndombe completed the rout nine minutes from time. Burkina Faso snatched a late 1-1 draw with South Africa in Ouagadougou in Group D. Dean Furman gave South Africa the lead on 81 minutes but Burkina Faso's Banou Diawara netted the equaliser in stoppage time. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)
