Just when it looked like Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations campaign was doomed to a similar fate as their World Cup experience from last year, Asamoah Gyan came to the rescue with a 92nd-minute winner versus Algeria, in a match that had offered little up until that point.
The dramatic conclusion was followed up by South Africa and Senegal playing out to a 1-1 draw, a result that means all four sides in Group C have everything to play for entering their final fixture of the group stage.
Ghana 1, Algeria 0
Having missed his side's opening match of the tournament due to malaria, Asamoah Gyan returned to Ghana's squad on Friday and scored the lone goal in their 1-0 win over Algeria.
Although the match featured two teams that are widely regarded as the strongest at the competition, the fixture didn't offer much in the way of entertainment. In fact, Gyan's goal in the 92nd minute really marked the first clear-cut chance of the game.
Gyan looked sluggish throughout most of the contest and far from fully fit, which was obviously to be expected. However, he came through when it mattered most by outrunning Algeria defender Carl Medjani and striking a ball from Wakaso Mubarak past 'keeper Rais M'Bolhi from a tight angle.
If Ghana are to progress from Group C, they'll need Gyan to continue his form in front of goal against South Africa on Tuesday.
6 - Asamoah Gyan has now scored in each of his last six appearances for Ghana. Vital.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 23, 2015
South Africa 1, Senegal 1
South Africa's 1-1 draw versus Senegal featured significantly more action than the earlier fixture, and the second half in particular got off to a flying start.
Only 62 seconds after the interval, South Africa's Oupa Manyisa broke the deadlock by slotting home a cross from Anele Ngcongca that found its way through heavy traffic in the box.
However, South Africa's lead lasted only 13 minutes - and it could have lasted even less time had Sadio Mane's goal not been disallowed for offside - as Senegal found an equalizer through a powerful header from Kara Mbodji.
Senegal produced a number of opportunities to win the match following Mbodji's equalizer, but ultimately had to settle for a draw in large part to some great 'keeping from Jackson Mabokgwane.
Here's what the Group C table looks like following Friday's action:
| GROUP C | W | D | L | GF | GA | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senegal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Ghana | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Algeria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
