With teams in Groups A and B completing their first round of matches in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, we turn our attention to Group C which is the ‘Group of Death.’ Group C is made up of South Africa, Senegal, Algeria and four-time winners Ghana. With three draws in the first four games thus far, all four teams in Group C would be looking to steal a march on their rivals in what should be two tightly contested games at the Estadio de Mongomo.
AFCON 201 Group C Preview (Day 3)
GHANA V SENEGAL
The first match of the day which kicks off at 16:00 GMT sees the Black Stars of Ghana come up against the Teranga Lions of Senegal for the fourth time in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars, who have been to the semi-final stage of the past four AFCON tournaments, have never lost to the Senegalese side in this competition. Their past meetings have ended in a 2-2 draw and two 1-0 victories in favour of the Ghanaians, the most recent one in 2006.
Ghana
- The Black Stars have played against Senegal on 18 occasions in all competitions with the Ghanaians winning 8 while the Senegalese have triumphed over the Black Stars 3 times.
- The Black Stars have kept 7 clean sheets in their last 10 group matches and have never lost in regulation time in an AFCON match after scoring first.
- The Black Stars have only lost 3 of their 19 opening group games and have won 9 times.
- Ghana, currently 37th in the FIFA Ranking, topped Group E in the qualifiers and have won three of their last five international games.
- The Black Stars could be without their Captain Asamoah Gyan who was only released from the hospital on Sunday morning after suffering from illness.
Senegal
- Senegal have never won the AFCON in their history. They played in their first tournament in 1968.
- Senegal have not kept a clean sheet in their last 11 games in the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The Teranga Lions have only lost twice in their 11 opening games of the AFCON, winning five and drawing four in the processes.
- They finished second to Tunisia in Group F during the qualifiers and are currently 35th in the latest FIFA Ranking.
If history is anything to go by then the Black Stars are firm favourites for this clash but the attacking prowess of Senegal in Papiss Cisse, Mame Biram Diouf and Moussa Sow shows we have a game on our hands.
ALGERIA V SOUTH AFRICA
Africa’s top side in the FIFA Rankings, Algeria square off against a rejuvenated South Africa who performed admirably in the qualifiers. Both teams haven’t enjoyed much success in this tournament in recent times but they come into this year’s AFCON as favourites for the title. South Africa have not lost against the Desert Warriors in their two AFCON clashes, winning one and drawing the other.
South Africa
- Bafana Bafana have won once in their last 12 games in the competition losing 5 times. However, they have not lost in their last 5 games, winning 1 and drawing on 4 occasions.
- South Africa have won the AFCON once in their history after beating Tunisia 2-0 in the 1996 final.
- South Africa topped Group A during the qualifiers in a group where defending champions Nigeria failed to qualify.
Algeria
- Algeria have not won in their last five games in the AFCON (D1 L4).
- Algeria have found the back of the net twice within that period.
- The Desert Warriors have won the competition only once in their history after beating Nigeria 1-0 in 1990 when they hosted the AFCON.
- They have finished 2nd once and 3rd on two occasions.
Two teams high in confidence and in good spirit will look to start their campaigns in good fashion. The North African’s will hope their ‘golden trio’ of Sofiane Feghouli, Yacine Brahimi and Islam Slimani will help them on to a strong start but a spirited South African team who are playing for former captain Senzo Meyiwa who passed away a few months back will look to spoil the party.
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