Ghana looking to bounce back from shock Senegal loss at AFCON

Avram Grant saw his Ghana side stunned by a late Senegal comeback in their first outing at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea. He will be targeting improvement against Algeria, 10/3 tournament favourites with Coral to win the tournament.

Elsewhere in the deadly pool that is Group C, South Africa must make history against the Lions of Teranga (7/4 to finish top), or their experimental squad may be be going home early.

Ghana v Algeria
Although the Black Stars lead the Desert Foxes 4-3 in overall head-to-heads, there is nothing to choose between these sides at AFCON finals, with one win apiece and a draw. It’s Algeria, who made a late rally in their opener against South Africa to win 3-1, that are 7/5 match favourites against Ghana (2/1), with a draw priced at 11/5.

Grant will hope to have leading marksman Asamoah Gyan back after the former Sunderland striker was struck down by a bout of malaria. If involved, the Ghana captain is a 7/4 anytime scorer chance. Andre Ayew netted in Gyan’s absence last time out, and is splendid value to do so again at 11/4.

For Algeria, there’s definitely more to come from Porto’s Yacine Brahimi, the reigning African Player of the Year, and he is a 7/4 shot to score anytime. You can say the same about Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli (11/4), but Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani may be worth backing too. Although short at 6/5, that price is enhanced to 9/2 if punters take the odds for him to grab the opener.

Expect a closely fought contest here, and a 1-1 score draw appeals at 11/2.

South Africa v Senegal
Bafana Bafana have never slain Senegal in an international match, so the Lions of Teranga start as 11/10 favourites for three points. A historic South Africa win is 13/5 and a share of the spoils for both these nations is an 11/5 chance.