AFCON 2015: Ghana down Bafana 2-1 to make quarters


Second-half goals from John Boye and Andre Ayew saw Ghana come from behind to beat South Africa 2-1 in their final 2015 African Cup of Nations Group C match at the Estadio De Mongomo on Tuesday to secure a place in the quarterfinals of the competition.

The result, combined with Algeria’s 2-0 win over Senegal in the other Group C game, sees Ghana finish top of the standings on six points. Algeria are second, also on six points, while Senegal finish third with four points and South Africa last with one point.

Ghana started the better of the two teams and had their first effort on goal in the fifth minute when Jonathan Mensah met a left-sided free-kick, but his ten-yard header went inches wide of the target.

A minute later Jordan Ayew was played into space just inside the box, but saw his 16-yard effort well-saved by Brilliant Khuzwayo.
The South African keeper, though, failed to hold onto the ball and Jordan Ayew pounced on the rebound and rounded the keeper, but saw his close-range shot cleared off the goalline by Erick Mathoho.

In the 17th minute South Africa took the lead despite not seeing much of the ball when Mandla Masango superbly volleyed home from 22 yards out.

Ghana tried to find their way back into the game before the break and came close in the 34th minute when Baba Rahman unleashed a ferocious 24-yard thunderbolt, but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Khuzwayo.

Two minutes later Ghana suffered a bit of a setback when Daniel Amartey had to leave the field injured and was replaced by John Boye.
South Africa had the last say of the half in the 40th minute when Bongani Ndululu met a right-wing cross from Anele Ngcongca, but the Bafana striker saw his eight-yard header magnificently saved by the Ghanaian keeper.

Ghana dictated terms after the break and continued to press forward, but struggled to break down a resilient South African defence.
Finally, in the 72nd minute Ghana found their just reward when a goalmouth scramble inside the South African box was turned home by John Boye from 12-yards out.

Three minutes later Kwesi Appiah came close to giving Ghana the lead, but he saw his 18-yard shot brilliantly touched onto the post by Khuzwayo.

In the 83rd minute Ghana did find their second goal, and it proved to be the winner, when an inch perfect cross from Baba Rahman was superbly headed home by Andre Ayew.
South Africa (1) 1 (Mandla Masango 17’)
Ghana (0) 1 (John Boye 72’, Andre Ayew 83)

TEAMS

SOUTH AFRICA: Brilliant Khuzwayo, Thabo Matlaba, Erick Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca, Rivaldo Coetzee, Thuso Phala (Sibusiso Vilakazi 58’), Dean Furman, Andile Jali, Mandla Masango, Bongani Ndulula (Bernard Parker 85’), Tokelo Rantie (Reneilwe Letsholonyane 74’).

GHANA: Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Daniel Amartey (John Boye 36’), Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Mubarak Wakaso, Afriyie Acquah (Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu 70’), Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew (Kwesi Appiah 71’).


SOURCE: Supersports