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Makomborero Mutimukulu in MALABO, Equatorial Guinea
SOUTH AFRICA’s 2015 African Cup of Nations dream melted in the humid conditions of Equatorial Guinea last night as they fell 1-2 to a fired-up Ghana at Estadio de Mongomo last night.

The defeat not only condemned Bafana Bafana to an early flight home but also slapped them with the embarrassment of leaving the tournament winless.

They were beaten 1-3 by Algeria in the opening match before playing out a 1-1 stalemate with Senegal.

Algeria, meanwhile, triumphed 2-0 over Senegal to book their place in the quarter-finals.

South Africa were last night missing midfielder Oupa Manyisa after the Orlando Pirates man became the latest injury casualty for a side that came here high on confidence after going through the qualifying stages unbeaten.

Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba made his third goalkeeping change in as many matches.

Young Kaizer Chiefs gloveman Brilliant Khuzwayo came in for Jackson Mabokgwane who guarded goal in the draw 1-1 draw with Senegal.

Mabokgwane had replaced Darren Keet who was the fall guy in the opening day defeat to Algeria.

South Africa powered into a 17th minute lead in Mongomo as Mandla Masango’s right footed shot, a beauty from outside the box, nestled home with Razak Brimah stranded.

Mashaba spoke tough in the build-up to the tie hinting that his side, which had never lost to Ghana at Afcon, would come out with guns blazing.

The outspoken gaffer even had the audacity to throw in a 3-0 score line in his pre-match remarks.

However, the man who triggered an outpouring of venom after dropping Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero, watched in frustration as Bafana Bafana struggled to build on Masango’s superb opener.

Bongani Ndulula shot tamely on 40 minutes while Andile Jali’s long range effort was cleared by an alert Jonathan Mensah.

The Black Stars coach Avram Grant was forced into making a change on 36 minutes, John Boye coming in for the injured Daniel Amartey.

Boye made his impact felt in the second half, his 73rd minute strike drew Ghana level.

Andre Ayew scored what turned out to be the winner 10 minutes later, heading a Baba Rahman cross beyond the reach of Khuzwayo.

Ghanaian skipper Asamoah Gyan played despite not having fully recovered from malaria and the former Sunderland striker missed a couple of chances in a second half his side dominated after a subdued opening stanza.

Algeria had the better start at Estadio de Malabo, creating several chances including one in the first minute, which saw Sofiane Feghouli failing to beat a badly exposed Bouna Coundoul.

They were ahead, however, nine minutes later.

Riyad Mahrez beat an ill-conceived offside trap and scored.

Stephane Badji should have restored parity for Senegal right at the stroke of half-time but he took time to pull the trigger.

Faouzi Ghoulam swept the danger away.

Nabil Bentaleb doubled Algeira’s lead on 82 minutes after unleashing from the edge of the box.

Algerian mentor Christian Gourcuff was beaming in the post match press conference, highlighting that the Desert Foxes had lived up to their billing as Africa’s top ranked side.

“We played like champions,” he said.

“I demanded a good performance from the boys and they gave me one this evening. We look forward to the quarter-finals now.”

Senegal will look back at series of missed chances as they board the flight to Dakar this morning as the difference between life and death.

Stoke City striker Mame Diouf, the man expected to power the Teranga Lions, had a subdued game.

When Diouf catches a cold, Senegal sneezes.

It was proven last night.