Africa Cup of Nations Day 3: Senegal's Moussa Sow grabs late winner against Ghana

The Africa Cup of Nations continued Thursday with a pair of comebacks that saw Senegal open their campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win over Ghana, and Algeria earn a 3-1 victory against South Africa.

Group C is widely regarded as the toughest at the competition, and three points against Avram Grant's side for Senegal couldn't have marked a better beginning to their AFCON return.

It was Ghana, however, who came out strongest after the opening whistle. They had the better of the early stages and were rewarded for their pressure in the 14th minute, when Christian Atsu was brought down by 'keeper Bouna Coundoul, allowing Andre Ayew to step up to the spot and convert the ensuing penalty.

It was another story in the second half, though, as Senegal came out looking much improved, grabbing an equalizer in the 58th minute through Mame Biram Diouf, who showed impeccable reaction skills by heading home the rebound after his initial shot hit the post.

Diouf had clearly been eyeing the goal for the better part of the fixture.

As the match neared the final minutes, yet another draw appeared to be on the horizon in a tournament that had seen three of the opening four matches end 1-1.

Enter Fenerbahce forward Moussa Sow:

Sow's late winner capped off the type of match we've come to expect from the tournament, and Senegal manager Alain Giresse's post-match press conference featured exactly the type of disorganization we've come to expect from African football.

In the second fixture of the day, Algeria, viewed by many as the strongest side in Equatorial Guinea, survived a scare after South Africa took a 51st-minute lead through Thuso Phala.

It should be pointed out, however, that Algeria were handed two massive lifelines that changed the outcome of the fixture in a matter of moments.

First came a missed penalty from Tokelo Rantie:

Minutes later came an own goal from Thulani Hlatshwayo:

With the score level at 1-1, Algeria finally snatched the lead four minutes after Hlatshwayo's own goal when left-back Faouzi Ghoulam made an impressive run down the left flank before blasting a shot past 'keeper Darren Keet. Islam Slimani subsequently added a third goal for Christian Gourcuff's side.

Here's a look at what the Group C table looks like following Monday's action: