Afcon 2015: Group C climax as it happened

Summary

Mahrez and Bentaleb put Algeria in last eight
FT: South Africa 1-2 Ghana
South Africa led early on
Late Ghana goal puts Ghana above Senegal and through

Live Reporting

Luke Reddy and Andy Cryer

Man on the up...published at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, Getty Images
Mame Biram Diouf struggled for goals at spells with Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers earlier in his career, notching just four in 32 league displays if you combine his stats at both clubs.
But the 27-year-old has been far more potent in recent years and scored 26 goals in 57 league games for Hannover in Germany before moving to Stoke this season where he has five in 19.
Postpublished at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Mame Biram Diouf has a disgusted look on his face as he blasts high and wide from a tight angle. He looks a little isolated. The Stoke man looked at his best in this tournament when Moussa Sow was introduced from the bench in their opening win. The support brought more from Diouf.
GOALpublished at 18:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, AFP
Absolutely brilliant as South Africa take a shock lead. The ball drops out of the air on the edge of the penalty area and Mandla Masango brilliantly loops a volley over goalkeeper Brimah Razak and into the roof of the net. Stunning.
SHOWBOATpublished at 18:17 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Senegal have not found their groove just yet and concede a free-kick which is a full 40 yards plus from goal. No danger? think again as Faouzi Ghoulam - man of the match in Algeria's opening win - lashes at goal.
It's one of those quirky-technique types with the inside of his foot but the keeper holds on.
As it standspublished at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
So how has that goal in Malabo changed matters?
Algeria are now heading through with Senegal. I expect that will change a few times between now and the end of these two matches.
Postpublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Better already...
Image source, AFP
Postpublished at 18:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
BBC Sport's Matthew Kenyon in Mongomo: It's pretty clear why Shakes Mashaba has brought in Ndulula up front for South Africa. He's a big man and a great target for Phala's crosses from the right...
GOALpublished at 18:11 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, Getty Images
Leicester City fans let me hear you. Riyad Mahrez coolly puts his country ahead with a crucial goal.
In truth it is a gift. Madjid Bougherra takes a free-kick on halfway and pumps it from right to left cross-field. Mahrez has left his marker out on the opposite wing to run clear and pull the ball down in the area. Senegal want a flag which is never coming and he has an age to tuck the ball into the corner.
Looks simple. It was. But shouldn't have been.
Postpublished at 18:09 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Our first as it stands table of the matches keeps you in the loop for what two draws would mean for this group.
Ghana would trump Algeria into second courtesy of their victory when the sides met.
GREAT SAVE!published at 18:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, Getty Images
Even closer for Ghana. Jordan Ayew's close-range shot is parried back to him by goalkeeper Nhlanhla Khuzwayo but, with an empty net in front of him, his second effort is brilliantly hacked off the line by the retreating Eric Mathoho. So, so close.
South Africa are all over the place.
Postpublished at 18:07 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, AFP
Algeria start the better of the two sides and El Arbi Soudani has a longing look at the referee in a penalty shout...nothing doing. Yacine Brahimi is tricky in midfield and the side in green force a corner. They look more settles early on.
CLOSE!published at 18:06 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Almost first blood to Ghana as Andre Ayew's towering header flashes inches wide of goal.
Postpublished at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Both these teams need a win to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals, although a point could be enough for Ghana... All to play for.
GREAT SAVE!published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Sofiane Feghouli - the tricky Valencia man - is on the ground moaning about an injury but I think he is simply hiding his embarrassment.
He is put clean through after Papy Djilobodji takes a heavy touch. What a chance, pick your spot...but he gets his feet in a mess and the goalkeeper saves at feet. Not even a shot.
His standing foot nudged the ball into the hands of the keeper. Dismal.
KICK-OFFpublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
These games must kick off at the exact same moment in each half so no team has an advantage...and we are off at both venues.
Postpublished at 17:59 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, Getty Images
The stats aren't with South Africa...
Postpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Anthems done and dusted in Mongomo. Official photos being taken. Now the real business is about to start...
Anthem timepublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, AFP
The Algeria national anthem rings out. It has a familiarity after the 2014 World Cup display the Desert Warriors put on.
No rousing rendition by the crowd here though. This is very much one for the brass-band enthusiast as noisy singing is in short supply.
The crowd have clap sticks. It's an improvement on the Vuvuzela at least...
Postpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
BBC Sport's Steve Crossman in Malabo: It is absolutely rammed here in Malabo...in the press box. I think there are more fans than media here now, but it's very tight.
Postpublished at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 27 January 2015
Image source, AFP
The teams are coming out on the pitch in Malabo and Mongomo. Children carry the flags of each team, solid crowds, tonnes of vibrant colour and smiling faces in the stands. Just 90 minutes before we know if their teams' Afcon campaign takes off or ends.