MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 04:52:16| >> :600:2995605:2995605:
[monks data]
South Africa national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 27, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
Ghana national football team

1-2

Masango (17')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Boye (73'), Ayew (83')

Live Commentary: South Africa 1-2 Ghana - as it happened

Take a look back at Ghana's vital win over South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report.
2

Ghana sealed their place as Group C winners at the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday with a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Africa.

The South Africans took a first-half lead when Mandla Masango hit a sensational volley over the goalkeeper on 17 minutes.

However, substitute John Boye drew Ghana level midway through the second period before Andre Ayew's header turned the game around with seven minutes left.

Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded between the two sides.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of tonight's Africa Cup of Nations clash between South Africa and Ghana. The South Africans need to win to keep their chances of reaching the quarter-finals alive, while only a draw may be enough to see Ghana progress. Team news should be through shortly.

Senegal currently sit at the top of Group C on four points, with second-placed Ghana and third-placed Algeria both on three. South Africa sit at the bottom of the pile with one points from a possible six. Senegal's game with Algeria is being played simultaneously with this one, so we will keep you up to date with developments there because, knowing the AFCON, there are sure to be a few twists and turns ahead.



SOUTH AFRICA: Khuzwayo; Ngcongca, Mathoho, Coetzee, Matlaba; Phala, Furman, Jali, Masango; Ndulula, Rantie

SOUTH AFRICA SUBS: Keet, Nhlapo, Zungu, Vilakazi, Letsholonyane, Sangweni, Parker, Zwane, Gcaba, Mabokgwane

GHANA: Brimah; Afful, Amartey, Mensah, Baba; Wakaso, Acquah, Atsu, J Ayew; A Ayew, Gyan

GHANA SUBS: Appiah, Gyimah, Awal, Badu, Sowah, Rabiu, Asante, Otoo, Dauda, Accam, Boye, Acheampong

Ghana's Andre Ayew: "We're not taking anything for granted. Algeria is behind us and next is South Africa. It will be a very tough battle. Expectations back at home must now have risen, but Ghana have always dealt with the pressure."

South Africa coach Ephraim Mashaba: "We still have another game to play, so don't write us off just yet. Football has its own miracles. With one game to go, we can still surprise a lot of people."

Despite their poor showing at the tournament so far, Bafana Bafana are more than capable of getting a positive result tonight. However, will it be enough to see them through? They are also relying on how the other match in this group goes, and that's always a dangerous game to play...


When it comes to past meeting between these teams, South Africa have definitely been the dominant force. Bafana Bafana have failed to lose in their previous three encounters with Ghana, winning two and drawing one. In that time, Ghana have failed to score against the South Africans.

Despite South Africa's dominance against Ghana, the Black Stars have been in impressive form in recent times at the AFCON. Their group-stage record is impressive, with nine wins, two draws and two defeats in their last 13 games. Meanwhile, Asamoah Gyan will be looking to add to his recent return of six goals in his last six matches.

Ghana's forward and captain Asamoah Gyan celebrates with his temmate Ghana's defender John Boye after scoring a goal during the Group G football match between Portugal and Ghana at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia during the 2014 FIFA World© Getty Images


The teams are out! Here come the national anthems!

KICKOFF! Right, the anthems are done. The pre-match handshakes have been done. The exchanging of flags has been done. There's nothing left to do but for Ghana to kick us off. Here we go!

It's been a positive start from Ghana, who are seeing plenty of the ball during the early stages of this match. South Africa have struggled to keep possession when they get it. Bafana Bafana are looking happy to sit back for now.

CHANCES! Ghana come within inches of taking the lead as Mensah rises highest to meet a free kick from the left, but he can only head wide. The Black Stars go on the attack again moments later, only for Jordan Ayew's effort to be heroically blocked on the line. How are Ghana not ahead? South Africa are all over the place at the back.

South Africa are already struggling to stamp their mark on this game. We've only had a handful of minutes played so far, but Ghana are doing all of the pressing in the final third. Are the South Africans biding their time? They could be waiting to lay siege to the Ghana goal after the break.

This pitch isn't helping either side, that's for sure. The surface is extremely bobbly, meaning that a few passes are going astray. South Africa mount an attack down the right with Masango, whose dangerous cross narrowly misses the head of Ndulula in the middle.

UPDATE! We've had a goal in tonight's other game, with Algeria taking the lead against Senegal. As it stands, Algeria and Senegal will be going through.

The South Africans are starting to find their rhythm a bit more now. They're looking a bit more solid at the back, while the likes of Furman and Phala are seeing more of the ball. That said, Ghana are carrying much more of a threat going forward. The Black Stars have got tremendous pace and guile in the final third.

GOAL! SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 GHANA (MASANGO)

Oh, what a goal from Masongo to give South Africa an unlikely lead! That is tremendous! Ghana fail to clear their lines from a cross, and Masongo is there to smash a brilliant, dipping volley over the goalkeeper and into the net from 25 yards.

Ghana have responded well to going behind. In fairness, they need to. The Black Stars will be going out of the competition if things stay as they are. Meanwhile, South Africa are trying to take a bit of the sting out of the game following that goal. They will be happy to protect this precious lead.

PENALTY SHOUT! Ghana want a penalty as Gyan collides with a defender in the box, but the referee waves play on. It is the right call from the official because Gyan went down far too easily there.

A danger for the South Africans at the moment is how deep they are sitting. Ghana are being allowed to run at them time and again, and that is something that Bafana Bafana do not want. The Black Stars win a couple of corners in quick succession, only for their opponents to clear on both occasions.

CHANCE! Another Ghana corner causes more trouble this time as Amartey gets above his marker, but he's put off by Jordan Ayew and heads the wrong side of the post.

Wakaso is a lucky boy. The Ghana midfielder could have been sent off for that challenge on Jali. It was incredibly reckless from Wakaso, forcing Jali to receive treatment.

SAVE! Khuzwayo to the rescue for South Africa as he denies Gyan. The Ghana striker lashes a powerful volley towards goal after a Bafana Bafana fail to clear their lines, but his shot is pushed away.

GHANA SUBSTITUTION: The Black Stars are forced into an early change, with Amartey replaced by Boye. The defender looked to be struggling with a dead leg or something like that. Either way, he was walking gingerly off the field of play. Just under 10 minutes left to play in this first half.

YELLOW CARD! That's harsh on South Africa defender Ngcongca, who is cautioned for a tackle on Andre Ayew.

SAVE! That's a great stop from Razak to keep South Africa from doubling their lead. A cross from the left is headed towards goal by Ndulula at the back post, but the Ghana goalkeeper gets down quickly to push the ball away from danger.

Considering how poor they were at the start of the game, South Africa can be pleased with how things have developed. They're now holding their own against Ghana, particularly in the key area of midfield. They are also using the width of the pitch well to trouble their opponents. Bafana Bafana have delivered some good crosses from out wide so far this evening.

There will be TWO MINUTES of added time at the end of the half...

HALF TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 1-0 GHANA

The referee blows the half-time whistle, bringing the curtain down on an intriguing opening half between South Africa and Ghana. It's the South Africans who lead thanks to that stunning volley from Masango on 17 minutes.

Both teams looked lively in that opening half, but some poor finishing and disappointing play up front means that we've seen just the one goal. You get the feeling that might change after the break, though. It's been open so far.

UPDATE! Tonight's other game is also at half time, with Algerian beating Senegal 1-0. If results stay the same. South Africa, Ghana and Senegal will all be on four points, while the Algerians will top the group with six.

There has already been some debate on social media as to whether Masango's goal is the best of the tournament so far. There have been a few decent strikes at this year's tournament, but that one could top the lot.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half and it will be South Africa to kick us off.

CHANCE! An early opening for Ghana as Gyan wins his side a free kick right on the edge of the box. The striker dusts himself off before trying to curl the ball into the top corner, but his effort goes narrowly over the crossbar.

CHANCE! The second half has been lively so far, and we get our second big opening as Rantie chases down a pass back to Ghana goalkeeper Razak, but the shotstopper just about gets there first to hood the ball away from danger.

This is a good spell from Ghana, who are asking plenty of questions of their opponents. They haven't used the wide areas as well as the South Africans tonight, but they're now starting to get a few more balls into the box. A corner from the right is whipped into a threatening area, only for Khuzwayo to punch Wakaso's delivery clear.

Ghana are still doing most of the pressing, while South Africa are being limited to the occasional counter-attack. Jordan Ayew gets the ball down the right before clipping a cross towards Gyan, but Khuzwayo comes off his line to punch the ball away.

SOUTH AFRICA SUB: Bafana Bafana make their first change of the match now as Phala is replaced by Vilakazi.

That's a waste from Wakaso. The ball drops to the midfielder a full 30 yards from goal, and he proceeds to smash it well wide. He had plenty of men in front of him there and didn't pick a single one of them out.

Ghana are practically camped out in the South Africa half at the moment. They are throwing absolutely everything at their opponents, who are doing a decent job of soaking up the pressure. However, there's still just under half an hour to play. That's a long time to keep the door shut.

You would think that Ghana will shake things up with a substitution or two in the next few minutes. They need a goal. The good news is that they are continuing to do all of the attacking, but they're just looking a bit toothless in the final third.

Danger for South Africa there as a free kick is floated in towards Andre Ayew, but they do just about enough to get rid of the ball. Just as well because goalkeeper Khuzwayo was absolutely nowhere near it when he came off his line.

GHANA SUBS: The Black Stars make their final changes, with Appiah and Badu replacing Acquah and Jordan Ayew. Time is running our for Avram Grant's side.

GOAL! SOUTH AFRICA 1-1 GHANA (BOYE)

Ghana get themselves level thanks to an instinctive finish from Boye! Andre Ayew scuffs his shot on the edge of the box, but the ball falls for Boye, who takes a good first touch before finding the net with a low finish. Not bad for a defender!

OFF THE POST! Drama here! Ghana come within inches of making it 2-1 as Appiah takes aim from 20 yards, only for Khuzwayo to tip his shot onto the post.

SOUTH AFRICA SUB: Bafana Bafana make a second change as Letsholonyane replaces Rantie. As it stands, both of these teams are going out. They both need to score and they really look like they are going for it. What a final 15 minutes we are in store for.

It's all Ghana at the moment. The Black Lions win a couple of corners, both of which cause problems in the South Africa box. However, the danger eventually fades and the South Africans live to fight another day. They are going to need plenty of focus if they want to weather this storm.

YELLOW CARD! South Africa captain Furman goes into the book for a deliberate handball, and he will miss the quarter-finals should his side get through.

GOAL! SOUTH AFRICA 1-2 GHANA (ANDRE AYEW)

Wow! Incredible drama as Ghana turn the match upside down with a goal from Andre Ayew! A brilliant cross from the left is met by the head of Ayew, who bravely nods past Khuzwayo. Just before that, Algeria doubled their lead against Senegal in the other game. From staring elimination in the face, Ghana are minutes away from topping the group.

SOUTH AFRICA SUB: South Africa make their final swap as Parker enters the action in place of Ndulula. Breathless stuff!

Ghana feel as if they've done enough. They're sitting very deep now, inviting South Africa onto them. The Black Stars are content to soak up the pressure and get themselves over the line. Remember, it's Ghana and Algeria who are going through at the moment.

YELLOW CARD! Razak, taking absolutely ages over a free kick, gets himself into the book.

There will be THREE MINUTES of added time to come. Will we see any more drama?

FULL TIME: SOUTH AFRICA 1-2 GHANA

That's it! Ghana scrape into the quarter-finals in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 win over South Africa. That result has also seen the Black Stars top Group C, while Algeria will be joining them in the next round as South Africa and Senegal crash out. What an evening of AFCON action!

That's all from our live coverage of tonight's match, but we will be back tomorrow with more AFCON action. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!

ID:201807: cacheID:201807:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:26506:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
Senegal earn late win over Ghana
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Equatorial Guinea flag Eq Guinea32107
Q Nigeria Nigeria32107
Q Cote D'Ivoire flag Ivory Coast31023
4 Guinea-Bissau flag Guinea-Bissau30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Cape Verde flag Cape Verde32107
Q Egypt Egypt30303
3 Ghana flag Ghana30212
4 Mozambique flag Mozambique30212

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Senegal flag Senegal33009
Q Guinea flag Guinea31114
Q Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Gambia flag Gambia30030

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Angola Angola32107
Q Burkina Faso flag Burkina Faso31114
Q Mauritania flag Mauritania31023
4 Algeria Algeria30212

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Mali flag Mali31205
Q South Africa South Africa31114
Q Namibia Namibia31114
4 Tunisia Tunisia30212

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q DR Congo flag Congo DR30303
3 Tanzania flag Tanzania30212
4 Zambia flag Zambia30212

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!