Young Mills: Asamoah Gyan killing it in the UAE but where's that same prolific striker for Ghana?

Jordan Ayew is hooked for Ghana. Youngster Mahatma Otoo, who plays his club football in Norway, replaces him.

New man Riyad Mahrez takes advantage of a Ghanaian slip to burst down the right but his shot from a tight angle is well over the bar. You may not be entirely surprised to learn we've only had one shot on target so far.

Madjid Bougherra, who has had a good game, swaggers forward out of defence and spreads the ball wide right to Yacine Brahimi. Brahimi, who hasn't, sends his cross straight out of play.

Ghana's Andre Ayew bashes the turf in frustration. A quick throw-in allows Christian Atsu the space to deliver a good cross from the right, the Marseille man bursts between the centre-backs but can't get above the ball and squirts his header over.

Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez enters the fray for Algeria, with Mehdi Lacen making way. Mahrez usually plays on the right, so that switch could see Nabil Bentaleb move into a more central role.

Albert in Canterbury: Against a strong and confident side as Algeria, Ghana certainly need to be more creative with their attack.

BBC Sport's Matthew Kenyon in Mongomo

"This game is coming to life a bit... we've seen Yacine Brahimi and Nabil Bentaleb combine well; Jordan and Dede Ayew get some moves going, and a couple of chances for Asamoah Gyan..."

We haven't seen the best of Asamoah Gyan today but he certainly knows where the goal is...

It's a more open game now. Asamoah Gyan gets on the end of a good through-ball but rather than taking a touch, he elects to shoot first time and scuffs his effort well wide.

Algeria break quickly and Sofiane Feghouli finds Nabil Bentaleb storming through in glorious isolation on the right. The Tottenham man just goes at the ball a bit tentatively and sends his shot wide of the far post.

Algeria's Carl Medjani commits the most obvious foul of the day, climbing all over Asamoah Gyan as if he were a stepladder. From the free kick, Wakaso Mubarak pings it straight out of play. The centre-backs, who trotted all the way upfield, don't look best pleased.

BBC Sport's Matthew Kenyon in Mongomo

"That's more like it from Ghana! Things are beginning to get more lively and the atmosphere is buzzing again. Finally we're seeing a bit of Asamoah Gyan. Still nothing on target though..."

The brothers almost combine successfully. Ghana switch the play towards Andre Ayew in acres of space on the left, he tricks Aissa Mandi with some nimble footwork and pokes in a cross to the near post, where Jordan Ayew flicks just over the bar.

Image source, AP

Nabil Bentaleb zips a long ball forward in search of Algeria's fresh striker Islam Slimani. Slimani caused the Germany defenders plenty of problems with that sort of run when the sides met at the World Cup, but on this occasion the ball is overhit.

Nick in Cambridge: If they aren't going to use him, can Ghana send Kwesi Appiah back to Cambridge United in time for tonight's match against Manchester United?

Appiah's loan spell has expired but he has sent this message to his old club: "Sorry I can't be there to support you or play. But good luck guys. You can do it. There are always big shocks in the FA Cup so why not be one of them."

A change apiece. Nelson (49 mins) gets his wish as Wakaso Mubarak replaces Afriyie Acquah for Ghana, and Algeria introduce striker Islam Slimani for Ishak Belfodil. Both straight swaps.

Christian Atsu shows good feet to work a bit of space on the right, he lofts in a good cross towards Asamoah Gyan, and Algeria right-back Aissa Mandi does well to get his head on it. Ghana on top now.

Ghana have been the more enterprising side since the break and they so nearly get their reward. Harrison Afful, who's been the game's most prominent player so far, whips in an absolute doozy of a cross to the near post, Asamoah Gyan gets across Madjid Bougherra but the striker directs his header just wide.

BBC World Service's John Bennett: I've been busier than the two keepers over the last 50 minutes and all I've done is send an email and make a cup of tea. #SomeoneShoot