Favourites Cote d’Ivoire are among 14 qualifiers for the 2013 Cup of Nations, who begin preparations for the tournament with friendlies this week.

Top-ranked African team, Ivory Coast defend a perfect record this year when they confront South Africa for the Nelson Mandela Challenge.

A painful Tri-Nations campaign for South Africa continued at Kings Park in Durban as they surrendered a six point half-time lead to Australia.

Bongani Ndulula enhanced his reputation as one of the best young strikers on the continent with a brace in a 2-0 win over Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Orlando Pirates had completed a treble by coming from behind to defeat second-tier Black Leopards 3-1 in the Premier Soccer League final.