Africa recorded its first victory at the on-going World Cup in Brazil when Ivory Coast early this morning came from a goal down to beat Japan 2-1 at the Itaipava Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Pernambuco.

Keisuke Honda put the Japanese ahead in the 16^th minute with a wonderful finish after being fed at the edge of the box by Yuto Nagatomo. Honda confidently controlled the ball with his first touch before hammering into the top corner at the near post with his second touch.

The Ivorians seemed to lack goal scoring ideas until the introduction of inspirational captain Didier Drogba in the 62^nd minute. Within four minutes, the Africans had turned the match on its head – thanks to perfect headers from Wilfried Bony in the 64^th minute and Gervinho in the 66^th – both of impressive crosses from full-back Serge Aurier.

This is the first time the Ivorians have won their opening fixture at a World Cup and they now seem poised to go beyond the knockout stages in their third consecutive appearance at the Mundial. The Africans are second in Group C behind Colombia, who earlier whipped Greece 3-9.

In other matches played yesterday, Costa Rica stunned favourites Uruguay 3-1 while England lost 1-2 to Italy.

•Photo shows Gervinho celebrating his winning goal for Ivory Coast, as skipper Drogba races to join . . . this morning against Japan at the Itaipava Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.