By James Robert Kayindi
Two second half goals from John Boye and Olympic Marseille’s Adre Ayew were enough to see off South Africa in a 2-1 victory for the Black stars as they progressed from Group C to the quarter finals of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa took the lead in the 17th minute when Mandla Masango fired a well curled volley from about 20 yards into the back of the net. Ghana who looked a much better side tried their efforts to level matters before half time but all was in vain with the most notable attempt being Baba Rahman’s 24-yard shot that forced Bafana’s Khuzwayo into a save in the 34th minute.
Having lost their first game against Senegal 2-1 and only bagging a win against Algeria when Asamoah Gyan scored in the dying minutes of the game, Ghana had a lot to prove at Estadio De Mongomo yesterday. Trailing a goal down, the Black Stars returned into the second half looking more resilient and eager to prove their worth.
Their efforts paid off when substitute John Boye who earlier came on for Daniel Amartey (after sustaining an injury in the 36th minute) scored for the West African giants to level matters in the 72nd minute.
In the 83rd minute, Andre Dede Ayew gave Ghana a well-deserved lead when headed home from Baba Rahman exquisite cross making it two 2-1 in the process.
In the other game on evening in Group C, the desert foxes of Algeria proved their position as Africa’s number one in soccer when they thrashed the Lions of Teranga from Senegal 2-0. A goal in each half was enough to send Senegal packing as Algeria finished second of the Group.
Riyad Mahrez gave Algeria an early lead when he slotted the ball past Senegal’s goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul into the back of the net in the 11th minute. English top flight star who features for Tottenham Hotspurs, Nabil Bentaleb extended Algeria’s lead in the 82nd minute ending it 2-0 in the process.
Ghana finished top of the group despite having lost their first game against Senegal. Algeria had a better goal difference but Ghana finished top due to a better head-to-head after the Black Stars edged the desert foxes in a late 1-0 defeat thanks to Asamoah Gyan’s striker during their second game of the group.
Group C standings:
Ghana – 6 points
Algeria – 6 points
Senegal – 4 points
South Africa – 1 point
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com
