TheCable

ALGERIA BEAT BAFANA BAFANA

Algeria began their Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 3-1 over South Africa at the Estadio de Mongomo.

The North African side dominated the early changes but couldn’t translate it to goals as the first half ended goalless.

It was the Bafana Bafana though, who started the second half much stronger and took a deserved lead in the 51st minute through Thuso Phala.

Tokelo Rantie had the chance to double the lead but he fired his penalty kick against the crossbar.

Pre-tournaments favourites Algeria eventually levelled the score line, albeit from an own goal, in the 66th minute.

The 1990 champions took the lead in the 71st minute, as Faouzi Ghoulam went past Oupa Manyisa before beating Darren Keet in goal. Islam Slimani then sealed the win in the 82nd minute.

Line-up

Algeria: M’Boli, Mandi, Medjani, Halliche, Ghoulam, Feghouli, Bentaleb, Lacen, Mahrez, Brahimi, Slimani

South Africa: Keet, Ngcongca, Matlaba, Hlatshwayo, Coetzee, Furman, Jali, Manyisa, Phala, Vilakazi, Rantie

SUB SOW SNATCHES LATE WIN FOR SENEGAL

Substitute Moussa Sow scored a stoppage-time winner as Senegal came from a goal down to beat Ghana 2-1 in their Orange Africa Cup of Nations Group C opener.

Andre Ayew put Ghana ahead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute but the 2002 runners-up levelled through Mame Diouf after 58 minutes.

The game was looking to end in a draw until nice foot works from the Senegalese close to Ghana’s penalty area created space for Sow to fire past goalkeeper Razak Braimah three minutes into added time.

Line-up

Ghana: Brimah, Afful, Rahman,  Mohammed, Mensah, Amartey, Rabiu, Badu, Atsu, A Ayew, J Ayew

Senegal: Coundoul, N’Diaye, Mbodji, Sane, Djilobodji, Gueye, Diop, Badji, Kouyate, Diouf, Ndoye

DAY 4 FIXTURES

JANUARY 20

Group D

Cote d’Ivoire v Guinea

Mali v Cameroon

AFCON NEWS!

GHANA COACH DRAWS POSITIVES FROM DEFEAT

Ghana coach, Avram Grant, has hailed the mental strength of his players despite the 2-1 loss to Senegal in their opening Group C game.

The Black Stars failed to build on an early lead to succumb to the defeat which now makes life difficult for four-time AFCON champions who are facing early elimination from the tournament.

But Grant sees the positive from the loss.

“This loss especially with these young players could affect the players but the players show a lot of spirit,” he told Africanfootball.com.

“This is the reason we scored one goal – exactly like we planned. The second chance also was good; the third chance was also good. We had three big chances exactly as we planned but we couldn’t score.

“Compared to the conditions we did well, unfortunately we conceded in the last moment and that is not very good.”

Ghana must now win their remaining two group games against Algeria and South Africa to stand a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stage.

SENEGAL KEEPER REVEALS TACTICS BEHIND WIN OVER GHANA

Senegal captain and goalkeeper, Bouna Coundoul, has credited coach Alain Giresse for their come-from-behind 3-1 win over Ghana.

The Teranga Lions went down after 14 minutes when Coundoul fouled Christian Atsu inside the box and stand-in captain Andre Ayew converted the eventual spot-kick.

But Senegal snatched the leveller through Mame Bram Diouf in the second half and Moussa Sow came off the bench to score the match winner with seconds remaining on the clock.

Now Coundoul believes the tactics of Giresse made the difference.

“At half time, our coach told us that if we really want to win this match we must not hold back or fear conceding another goal. So we opened up and fought for every ball until the last minute. That is how we came back to beat the Black Stars,” he said.

WORLD CUP WOE IS BEHIND US

Cameroon coach, Volker Finke, has stated that his side’s disastrous World Cup campaign is a thing of the past as the Indomitable Lions get ready to start their Orange Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Mali.

Cameroon conceded nine goals in losing their three group games in Brazil, with a bust-up between Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Benjamin Moukandjo in a 4-0 loss to Croatia the enduring image of a disastrous campaign.

The four-time champions face Mali in Malabo on Tuesday and Finke said his side has a point to prove after bowing out of the World Cup in Brazil in disgrace.

“I really think the spirit, the mentality has changed. The last two or three months, there has been a closed dressing room,” he said the German.

“Good work starts from there. Nothing has leaked out of the dressing room. The group is united and all working together.

“It was maybe a bit dangerous to go into the World Cup with everyone thinking it was going to be great. Then afterwards, all these reasons why we had this unacceptable World Cup … it’s not the day, it’s not the time, it’s over now.

“We are just working towards the future. I know what was going on and this is why we always pay attention to make sure we keep going in the same direction.”

Cameroon will also face Ivory Coast and Guinea in their group games.