Algeria scored inside the first and last 15 minutes of play to seal a 2-0 win over their Senegalese outfit, who had looked on course to qualify for the final eight prior to today's fixtures.

Ghana, on the other hand, came from a goal down to beat South Africa 2-1 and book their place in the knock stages as Group C winners.

The Ghanaians had looked dead and buried come the final 20 minutes as they trailed 1-0 courtesy of a Mandla Masango pile driver from inside the penalty box.

Substitute John Boye changed that just three minutes later, however, as he scored Ghana's first ever Africa Cup of Nations goal against South Africa after latching on to Andre Ayew's scuffed shot and slotting the ball underneath the oncoming Nhlanhla Khuzwayo.

With Algeria 1-0 up in the other fixture, Ghana needed another goal to avoid going out to Senegal on their head-to-head record.

This was to come just seven minutes from time when Ayew bravely headed home Baba Rahman's left-wing cross to send his team into raptures.

Nabil Bentaleb scored a late pile driver to double Algeria's lead in their 2-0 victory against Senegal ©Getty Images


Goals from Riyad Mahrez and Nabil Bentaleb ensured Algeria's safe passage into the quarter-finals as they proved too strong for previous group toppers Senegal.

Knowing only a win would guarantee them progression to their first knockout appearance since 2004, Algeria were quick out of the blocks.

Their early pressure was rewarded in the 11th minute when Mahrez was found in acres of space following a long diagonal free-kick by Faouzi Ghoulam.

Mahrez neatly brought the ball down before slotting it past Senegalese goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to put his side one up.

Algeria's second came just eight minutes from time when Sofiane Feghouli picked up a loose ball before laying it across the edge of the area to Bentaleb, who took a touch before lashing a left-footed drive past Coundoul.

Action continues in Equatorial Guinea tomorrow with Cameroon taking on the Ivory Coast while Guinea face Mali.

All four teams are level on two points apiece in this group following draws in each of the opening four fixtures.

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