( CNN ) -- Ivory Coast , the perennial underachiever of the Africa Cup of Nations , began the 2013 tournament with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Togo on Tuesday . After suffering a shock defeat in last year 's final by Zambia , `` Les Elephants '' are hoping to finally end a 21-year wait for the title in this month 's competition in South Africa . Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure put Ivory Coast ahead in front of a small crowd in Rustenberg to ensure he has now scored in four successive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments . Africa Cup of Nations 2013 : The teams . Jonathan Ayite leveled for Togo just before the break , but Arsenal forward Gervinho fired home a dramatic late winner to seal the points . Although happy with the result , Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi was left disappointed with his team 's showing and has urged his players to learn from the contest . `` I was expecting something better from us -- it was n't our best performance , '' Lamouchi told reporters . `` I thought the first match was going to be difficult , but it was much harder than I was envisaging . `` I 'm happy with the win , but we made too many mistakes , and will have to use this game as a lesson . '' Togo coach Didier Six was still fuming at the decision of the referee to disallow his side 's effort with the scores level at 1-1 and made a hasty exit from the press conference . `` I think my team deserved something else than that . It was n't right , the rules were n't respected , '' He told reporters : . Mourinho mentors Cape Verde 's 'Special One ' Togo , ranked 63 places below Ivory Coast , should have taken an early lead when Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor raced clear on goal only to miss his kick and let Boubacar Barry save . It was a mistake which was to be punished as Toure lashed home via a deflection to give Ivory Coast an eighth-minute lead . The African player of the year went close to doubling his side 's advantage when his rasping effort hit the woodwork , but Togo drew level with just seconds of the first half remaining . Serge Akakpo 's corner caused mayhem inside the penalty area and Ayite fired the ball home past a helpless Barry . Togo 's `` Sparrowhawks '' then thought they had taken the lead when Dare Nibombe headed home a quickly taken corner , but the referee disallowed the effort after deeming the set-piece had been taken before the whistle had been blown . That frustration was further increased when Gervinho met Toure 's free-kick at the far post to sweep home an 88th-minute winner . Fuad Ibrahim eyes Africa Cup of Nations chance . Tunisia triumph . In Tuesday 's other match in Group D , Tunisia scored a 90th-minute winner to see off Algeria 1-0 at Rustenberg 's Royal Bafokeng stadium . Algeria dominated for much of the contest , but could not find a way through a stubborn Tunisia defense in the first meeting between the North African rivals in the tournament 's 56-year history . And with time running out , Youssef Msakni produced a breathtaking curling effort which flew into the net and spark wild celebrations . Ethiopia fined . Meanwhile , tournament organizers confirmed that Ethiopia has been fined $ 10,000 after its fans threw missiles onto the field of play during Monday 's 1-1 draw with defending champion Zambia . The incident took place after Ethiopia goalkeeper Jemal Tassew was shown a straight red card during the first half . A statement on the tournament website read : `` After the expulsion of the goalkeeper , the Ethiopian spectators threw all sort of missiles at the field of play ( plastic bottles , vuvuzelas ... .etc ) . `` The Board decided to impose a financial sanction on Ethiopia amounting to $ 10,000 , nevertheless , the board decided to suspend 5,000 USD on condition that Ethiopia is not found guilty of a similar offense until the end of the tournament ( Article 83.3 of CAF Disciplinary Code ) . ''
Ivory Coast begins campaign with 2 -1 win over Toure in Ivory Coast . Yaya Toure and Gervinho on target for Ivory Coast . Tunisia scores 88th-minute winner to defeat Rustenburg . Algeria fined $ 10,000 following missile incident .