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Algeria and Senegal pick up Africa Cup of Nations wins

Alex ChafferJanuary 20, 2015

The 'Group of Death' provided two excellent encounters in Equatorial Guinea after three draws from the first four games. Algeria lived up to the favorites tag, while Senegal relied on a last-gasp winner to beat Ghana.

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Fußball Afrika Cup Südafrika vs. Algerien 19.01.2015
Image: AFP/Getty Images/C. de Souza

Senegal and Algeria opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with wins over Ghana and South Africa on Monday night.

A late goal from Moussa Sow saw the Teranga Lions snatch all three points from the popular Black Stars of Ghana, while Algeria came from a goal down in the second-half to earn a comfortable win over South Africa.

The opening game of the night in Mongomo started as expected. Andrew Ayew opened the scoring for Ghana from the penalty spot after Christian Atsu had been brought down in the box. But after a bright start, the Black Stars didn't have a shot on target after the 39th minute and Senegal made them pay.

Former Hannover striker Mame Biram Diouf nodded home an equalizer in the 58th minute, which helped Senegal to take control of the game. They left it late, but with virtually the last kick of the game, Moussa Sow slotted home to seal a valuable opening win.

Senegal manager Alain Giresse knows there's along way to go though for his side to make qualification safe.

"It is always better to take three points, but it doesn't mean we are guaranteed to qualify, just as the defeat for Ghana does not mean they are eliminated," he told reporters.

Favorites Algeria in second half show

The next game had fans in Mongomo waiting until the second half for all the goals as South Africa dominated a goalless first-half. They took a deserved lead early in the second-half, however, with Thuso Phala finishing off a well worked goal.

Tokelo Rantie had a chance to double the Bafana's lead, but hit his penalty against the Algerian bar and ultimately, they were made to pay. Thulani Hlatshwayo headed past his own keeper to give the Algerian's an equaliser after 67 minutes.

Faouzi Ghoulam put Algeria in the lead just five minutes later, before Islam Slimani squeezed a third under keeper Darren Keet on 83 minutes to seal the win.

The South African's consider it a missed chance with manager Shakes Mashaba telling reporters that, "We still have two games to rectify our mistakes."

Ghana face Algeria next in Group C, while Senegal face South Africa.