Africa Cup of Nations: Ghana snatch last-gasp win over Algeria as Senegal and South Africa draw
Friday 23 January 2015 23:14, UK
Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana an Africa Cup of Nations lifeline with a stoppage-time winner against Algeria in Mongomo.
Avram Grant's Black Stars needed victory after defeat to Senegal in their opening Group C game, but the four-time winners looked as if they would come up short until Gyan's late heroics.
The former Sunderland striker, back in the starting line-up after a bout of malaria, burst onto a long diagonal ball from substitute Mubarak Wakaso and, under pressure from Carl Medjani, finished with an angled drive into the corner of the net to secure a 1-0 victory.
Algeria coach Christian Gourcuff had decided to attend the match following the death of his mother in France and it looked as if his side were on course to build on their victory over South Africa with a point until last minute disappointment.
With tempers fraying in a tetchy affair, Ishak Belfodil angered Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, who reacted by grabbing hold of the Algeria striker's shirt, while Nabil Bentaleb responded by angrily shoving Badu but the referee failed to produce any cards.
With good football difficult on a patchy surface at the Estadio de Mongomo, it was Ghana who showed more enterprise at the start of the second half.
It looked as if Ghana's second-half improvement would count for nothing but Gyan struck at the death to spark wild celebrations among the Black Stars' supporters.
Senegal went top of Group C as they fought back to draw 1-1 with South Africa in Mongomo.
The draw moves Senegal on to four points from two games, with Ghana and Algeria tied on three and South Africa bottom of the group on one.
Having dominated the first half, South Africa took the lead within two minutes of the restart when Oupa Manyisa coolly converted Tokelo Rantie's cross at the far post.
But Alain Giresse's Senegal equalised on the hour when Kara Mbodji's firm header found the back of the net with South Africa goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane in no-man's land.
All four countries still have a chance to qualify but a draw against Algeria in Malabo on Tuesday will be enough to take the Senegalese through.
Victory for Ghana over South Africa at the same time in Mongomo will also earn them a ticket to the last eight.
