Mame Diouf strikes as Senegal beat Ghana

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Senegal's midfielder Papakouli Diop (R) challenges Ghana's midfielder Mohammed Rabiu during the 2015 African Cup of Nations group C football match between Ghana and Senegal in Mongomo on January 19, 2015 (Getty)

Ghana, under the watchful eye of coach Avram Grant, had managed only the slenderest of leads by half-time, and that was a penalty – a clear-cut one, too, as Christian Atsu had his ankles removed from underneath him by the hands of goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. Andre Ayew converted the spot kick beautifully.

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Ghana's players celebrate after scoring a goal during the 2015 African Cup of Nations Group C match against Senegal …

But despite several chances, they failed to pull away from their opponents; Jonathan Mensahmisdirected his header even though he was in plenty of space, and just before the break Atsu was denied by the goalkeeper after good work down the right from Jordan Ayew.

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Senegal, lacking in Ghana’s pace, managed a few opportunities, with Mbodji hitting the woodwork, and Stoke’s Mame Diouf forcing Razak Braimah into a fingertip save from an acrobatic overhead kick.

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Round 1 - Mongomo

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In the second half, though, Ghana lost their way, and Diouf grabbed the equaliser on 58 minutes, which was no more than Senegal deserved. His initial attempt had hit the woodwork, and he bravely bundled the ball over the line.

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It took until the final kick of the game for a decisive goal. Substitute Moussa Sow had already missed a couple of good chances, but he made no mistake in the third minute of stoppage time, striking cleanly with his right root past Razak - which, by that point, was no more than Senegal deserved.

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