Daily 2015 AFCON Round-Up: Gyan Subdues The Desert Foxes; Senegal Holds South Africa

There are few things sweeter in football than the last minute winner; any amateur fan of the game can tell you that. Ghana’s Black Stars embodied that in their win over Algeria earlier today, skipper Asamoah Gyan clinching the tie right at the death.

The Al-Ain forward missed the first game through illness, and the absence of his goals saw the team succumb to a 2-1 loss to Senegal. His return to today’s encounter therefore was heavily anticipated and despite an average, bordering on mediocre performance; the skipper pulled the rabbit out of the hat at the final moment to prove his mettle as this side’s top magician.

In the second group C game, Senegal cemented their place at the top of the group, holding South Africa to a 1-1 draw.

The Black Stars badly needed a win after losing their first game of the tournament, and Coach Grant rang the changes more in terms of tactics than personnel. The 3-4-3 was ditched for the more conventional 4-2-3-1, skipper Gyan the lone forward spearheading the attack.

Algeria started brightly, seemingly the hungrier of the two sides. It was a nervy first 45 minutes, Algeria moving the ball around smoothly and creating numerous chances. Ghoulam’s free kick from range almost wrong footed Braimah, whilst Bentaleb had a great chance to score, but skewed his finish wide.

The first half ended with Ghana on the back foot and having created little, the boost expected from the return of the skipper proving non-existent. Badly needing a win, the Stars improved after the break, Atsu, the Ayews, and Gyan calling the shots.

Gyan came close to scoring on 51 minutes, but his connection to Harrison Afful’s cross was not powerful enough. Jordan Ayew wasted a chance when it might have been better to pass, whilst he sent another wide after great work from Andre.

As the game fizzled out, Algeria became bolder on the counter. The attacking Black Stars were caught out a few times, but Daniel Amartey and Jonathan Mensah were an impressive pair at the back.

The game looked destined for a stalemate when the referee added three additional minutes, but Ghana’s captain had other ideas. Like Senegal did to Ghana in our first game, we broke Algerian hearts with a goal right at the death.

Wakaso’s pass on the counter found a marauding Gyan, who expertly controlled the ball, before hitting a fantastic curling shot from an acute angle that sent all Ghana, yours truly included, into ecstasy.

The win puts Ghana on three points, a point behind leader of the group Senegal. South Africa is our next opposite opponent, lying at the bottom at the bottom with one point.

The Bafana Bafana have become a little fond of throwing away leads, and they did so today too, going ahead against Senegal then being pegged back.

A dour first half produced no goal, but Oupa Manyisa put South Africa ahead shortly after half time. Senegal fought back furiously, even getting a goal disallowed before Mbodji’s powerful header drew them level.

The draw keeps Senegal top on four points, one ahead of Ghana and Algeria. Final round of matches would see Ghana taking on South Africa, whilst Algeria and Senegal battle it out for the way out of Group C.