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Ghana national football team
Africa Cup of Nations | Group Stage
Jan 19, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
Senegal national football team

1-2

Ayew (14' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)
Biram Diouf (58'), Sow (93')

Live Commentary: Ghana 1-2 Senegal - as it happened

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of the Group C Africa Cup of Nations match between Ghana and Senegal.
2

Moussa Sow scored in the final minute of stoppage time to give Senegal a 2-1 win over Ghana in the opening match in Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Andre Ayew opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Avram Grant's side after Christian Atsu had been brought down in the penalty box.

Mame Biram Diouf got Senegal back on level terms in the second half before Sow came off the bench to strike the winner late on.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon! Group C get their campaigns underway this afternoon, with four-time champions Ghana taking on former runners-up Senegal. Let's start with a look at the team news.

GHANA STARTING XI: Brimah, Afful, Rahman, Awal, Mensah, Amartey, Rabiu, Badu, Jordan Ayew, Atsu, Andrew Ayew

SENEGAL STARTING XI: Coundoul, N'Diaye, Mbodji, Sane, Djilobodji, Gueye, Diop, Badji, Kouyate, Diouf, Ndoye

Ghana are missing captain Asamoah Gyan, who has spent the build up to this match in hospital with a mild bout of malaria. In his absence, the four-time champions will surely look towards the Ayew brothers to provide their main goal threw alongside Everton winger Christian Atsu.

Senegal also have fitness problems as West Ham striker Diafra Sakho was unable to join up with the squad while recovering from a back problem. Hammers teammate Cheikhou Kouyate starts this afternoon though, while Stoke City's Mame Biram Diouf leads the attack alongside Dame N'Doye of Lokomotiv Moscow.

One play whose involvement in this tournament remains in doubt in Sadio Mane, who has been in strong form with Southampton recently, but injured his hamstring just before linking up with the squad. Ahead of this match, Senegal boos Alain Giresse told the media: "If he will not be able to play the first match, it will be the second if not the third. We'll see the progress he will make."

While these two sides may be considered among the favourites for this tournament, they will have a tough job to qualify for the knockout stages, as they share a group with outright tournament favourites Algeria, and South Africa, who can never be written off. Those two go head-to-head at 7pm, and we'll have live coverage from that contest too.

These are certainly two of the deeper squads at this year's tournament, with well-established talented players featuring on the bench. Ghana have the 2013 joint top scorer Mubarak Wakaso to call upon if they need some extra pace in midfield, while Papiss Cisse is among the Senegal subs, and has proved himself more than a handful off the bench in the Premier League for Newcastle this season.

The players are just making their way out ready for kickoff in Mongomo, where their is a newly-laid pitch. It'll still be a few minutes until the action gets underway though, as the national anthems from both sides will be played before kickoff.

This will be the fourth time that these two countries have faced each other in the Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana have the better record, with two wins and a draw in the previous three encounters.

PREDICTION! Just before kickoff, there's time for a quick prediction. These are two of the more exciting teams, but they're both missing players, so it could be a battle of attrition. Despite the absence of influential captain Gyan, I think Ghana should just edge this, so I'm going for a 2-1 win for Avram Grant's side.

KICKOFF! Senegal get the match underway.

Senegal have the majority of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, but a long ball forward from Papy Djilobodji flies straight into the arms of Brimah Razak in the Ghana goal.

Senegal have made a really bright start, running at the Ghana goal and passing the ball around quickly, but they haven't really put the keeper under pressure yet. Pape Souare and Kara Mbodji try to set something up for the 2002 runners-up, but it comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Razak has to remain alert in the goal for Ghana as Pape Diop wins the ball for Senegal and quickly picks out Diouf, but the finishing touch lacks power to give the keeper an easy save.

Ghana get down the other end for the first time, with Christian Atsu carving a path through the middle before setting up Emmnauel Badu for a shot, but his drilled effort from 25 yards out is easily blocked by Sane.

PENALTY TO GHANA!

Jordan Ayew finds brother Andre, who picks out Atsu with a superbly-timed ball, but the Everton man is hacked down by keeper Coundoul to give Ghana the spot kick.

GOAL! Ghana 1-0 Senegal (Andre Ayew)

Against the run of play, Ghana take the lead as Andre Ayew concerts from the spot. It was a needless move by Bouna Coundoul to give away the spot kick, as he came well off his line to challenge Christian Atsu.

CHANCE! Senegal are close to an equaliser straight away as Diouf wins a corner, which Diop curls in for Djilobodji, but the defender's powerful header is a fraction high of the crossbar.

CHANCE! Senegal certainly haven't been put off by the penalty as they're on the attack again, this time with Diop sending a free kick into the box for Kouyate, but the West Ham man's finish was scuffed, allowing Razak to make the save.

Senegal put Ghana under pressure again from yet another set piece, but this time Mensah boots it well clear, and launches the Ghana side on a counter-attack, but Jordan Ayew is forced to put the ball out for a goal kick by some close marking by Souare.

CHANCE! How did he put that wide?! Christian Atsu gets the better of the Senegal defenders again with another superb run, and this time he's allowed to get his shot away, but he slices Jordan Ayew's through ball a fraction wide of the left post after sending the keeper the wrong way.

BOOKING! There's a worrying sight for Ghana as Atsu is brought down by N'Doye Dame, leaving the winger clutching his leg. It really was a rash challenge from the Senegal man, who got absolutely nothing on the ball. The striker is booked for the two-footed tackle.

CHANCE! Ghana are in again as Mensah breaks free from Souare for a free header from Badu's free kick, but he nods it just over. Senegal had looked the better side early on, but every time Ghana get in the box they have time and space and look threatening.

OFF THE BAR! Kara Mbodji almost has the ball in the back of the net as he rises high to meet a Badji free kick into the box. Razak gets a hand to it, bundling it onto the crossbar before Mensah boots it clear.

Andre Ayew tries to set up another chance for Ghana, but he loses out to Stephane Badji in midfield. His long ball forward fails to connect with any of his teammates though, wasting another opportunity for Senegal.

CHANCE! A stunning save from Brimah Razak denies Mame Biram Diouf a spectacular goal as the striker tries an overhead bicycle kick to level the scores, but Razak leaps up high to tip the well-struck effort behind for a corner.

Ghana are back down the other end straight away and force a corner. Jordan Ayew's delivery catches to keeper out, but Daniel Amartey can't get the header away after being well-marked by Kouyate.

CHANCE! Senegal win another free kick, and Souare's delivery to Sane is turned just wide for a corner, which is swiftly dealt with. Amartey tries to catch the Ghana keeper out with a low shot from range, but Razak spots it coming, making a comfortable low stop.

CHANCE! Jordan Ayew and Cristian Atsu have proved a deadly combination on the break so far, and they carve the Senegal defence wide open with another fast-paced move. Ayew pulls the ball back from near the cornerflag, but Atsu's attempt to smash it in from close range is blocked by Coundoul.

Ghana try to double their lead before the break with another burst forward, but Mohammed Rabiu overhits his ball forward for Emmnaule Badu, and despite the best efforts of the midfielder he couldn't get to the ball before it went behind.

Senegal try to put some pressure back on Ghana in the final moments of the half, but Kara clatters into Andre Ayew in midfield to give Ghana the free kick.

HALF TIME: Ghana 1-0 Senegal

So at the break it's just Andre Ayew's early penalty that separates the sides. Ghana have looked deadly in front of goal, but they've been limited in possession.

Let's take a closer look at some of the numbers from the first half. Senegal saw by far the more of the ball with 61% possession in the first 45 minutes. Ghana had one shot fewer than Senegal with five, but two were on target, while Senegal tested Razak just once with Diouf's spectacular overhead kick.

Leicester's Jeffrey Schlupp is another member of the Ghana squad that wasn't able to make this year's tournament, picking up a knock just before the start of the competition. Judging by this tweet, he's following the action closely though:


The players are starting to head back out ready for the second half.

SUB! Senegal are making a change ahead of the second half, but Djilobodji heading off for Lamine Gassama.

KICKOFF! Senegal kick off the second half.

Senegal have changed their formation a little, with Badji playing a bit further forward than in the first half. The change appears to be giving Senegal a bit more time in midfield, but they're lacking the final touch when they eventually get into the Ghana penalty area.

Gassama tries to make an impact after coming off the bench for Senegal, but he takes a tumble while running down the right flank winning a free kick.

Diop curls the free kick in towards the box, but Diouf's header misses the target. Senegal appear to think the ball is going out, but Razak manages to keep it in play and boot it clear. If Senegal had realised, they could have put the keeper, who was well off his line, under serious pressure.

Harrison Afful was pretty quiet in the first half, but he wins Ghana's first corner of the second half as a cross in towards Atsu is deflected behind. The delivery is overhit though, and goes straight out the other side.

CHANCE! N'Doye Dame rifles the ball just wide, hitting the ball first time just outside the box. He keepers his finish nice and low, but the ball bobbles just wide of the right upright.

Jordan Ayew is floored by a clash of heads as he and Kara both go high a high ball. The Ghana striker doesn't seem too dazed by the collision though, as he's able to continue without treatment.

GOAL! Ghana 1-1 Senegal (Mame Biram Diouf)

Senegal have looked strong at the start of this second half and they've got their reward as the Stoke man heads the ball onto the post, but is in the right spot to nod the rebound past Razak. It was all set up by a superb cross from Badji.

Ghana are almost caught napping on the restart as Bajdi is on the move again. Baba Rahman manages to turn it behind for a corner though. Incidentally, it looked like there was a bit of a heated exchange between the Ayew brothers after the goal as Andre was unhappy that Jordan was off the pitch seemingly having treatment or changing a boot, leaving the Black Stars a man short at the back.

Senegal are continuing to see the majority of the possession, but it's starting to get a little scrappy between the two sides, with plenty of fouls flying in in the last few minutes.

BOOKING! In fact, there's another foul, with Andre Ayew bringing Diop down just outside the box, giving Senegal a free kick in a dangerous position.

CHANCE! Diop takes the free kick, and it strikes the wall, but it's come of the head of a Ghana player, so Senegal will have the corner. It eventually falls to Diouf, who tries to hit it on the turn, but he overhits it, slicing it well wide.

SUB! Ghana make their first change of the match, taking off Christian Atsu for pacy midfielder Mubarak Wakaso.

CHANCE! N'Doye spots Razak off his line after picking the ball up 35 yards from goal, and he tries to make the most of it by hitting the ball on the half-volley towards the Ghana goal, but his effort curled just wide.

Wakaso gets involved for the first time since coming off the bench, but the midfielder's first touch is lacking, leaving the Senegal keeper with a comfortable take.

CHANCE! Ghana win a free kick on the edge of the box as Badji is brought down. Andre Ayew tries to curl it in, but his floating delivery lacks any real power.

Ghana manage to get forward again, but Jordan Ayew's ball forward for Badu has too much on it, leaving the midfielder no chance of reaching it.

PENALTY APPEAL! Senegal believe that they should have a spot kick as Ghana scramble the ball away after a Razak save sends the ball high into the air. It looked like Mohammed Awal got it clear, but the Senegalese players immediately turn towards the referee, suggesting that the defender may have handled the ball.

BOOKING! Mohammed Rabiu is the latest player to be shown the yellow card after deliberately tripping Diouf.

SUB! Senegal take advantage of the pause to make another change, bringing on Moussa Sow in place of N'Doye Dame.

CHANCES! Sow almost puts Senegal ahead just moments after coming off the bench as he tried to head in from the free kick, but he could only glance the ball behind. The resulting goal kick didn't go very far, allowing Diop to try and drive the ball in from 25 yards out, but he couldn't quite find the target.

Some of the Ghana fans have gone to a real effort to show their support for their team this afternoon, like this chap:


SUB! There's another change Ghana as Mohammed Rabiu makes way for Afriyie Acquah.

CHANCE! Sow has been a lively addition since coming on for Senegal a short time ago, and he comes close to adding what would surely be a winner at this point, attempting to tap in from a Badji ball forward.

SUB! Senegal make their last chance, bringing on Henri Saivet for Pape Diop.

SUB! Ghana make their last change as well, with captain Andre Ayew making way for David Accam. The winger is said to be pretty pacy, so is presumably being sent on to try and create a late winner for the four-time champions.

Idrissa Gueye isn't a name that's come up often this afternoon, but the midfielder comes close to setting up a winner for Senegal as he sends a close cross in front of the face of goal but Diouf couldn't quite get his foot to it.

The fourth official indicates that there will be three minutes of stoppage time for both sides to try and find a late winner.

CHANCE! A poor backpass from Mohammed Awal always leaves the Razak stranded as Diouf rushes in to try and guide a winner in, but the keeper just manages to keep hold.

GOAL! Ghana 1-2 Senegal (Moussa Sow)

Moussa Sow has been superb since coming off the bench, so it's no surprise that he comes up with the winner in the final minute of stoppage time. Kouyate drills the ball into the box, and Razak gets ready for Diouf to tap it in, but the Stoke man pulls it back for Sow, who lashes it in with what should be the final meaningful kick of the match.

FULL TIME: Ghana 1-2 Senegal

Well there's nothing like a bit of late drama! Moussa Sow's last-gasp effort ensures that Senegal come from behind to clinch a 2-1 win over Ghana in their opening match in Group C. With all four teams capable of progressing from the group, that will be a huge blow to Avram Grant's side.

That's all from this match, but stick around as our live build up to the match between the other Group C sides, Algeria and South Africa, starts from 6.30pm. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.

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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


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