body-container-line-1
26.01.2015 Cup of Nations

AFCON 2015: What Ghana must do against South Africa to be able to reach quarter-finals

By ghanasoccernet.com
AFCON 2015: What Ghana must do against South Africa to be able to reach quarter-finals
26.01.2015 LISTEN

Ghana face South Africa in a must-win clash tomorrow – find out what Avram Grant's men need to do to reach the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The calculators were hauled out straight after the final whistle of the Group C matches between Ghana and Algeria as well as Bafana Bafana's draw with Senegal.

Ghana tore the Africa Cup of Nations Group of Death wide open with their 1-0 win against Algeria in the earlier match on Friday while South Africa's draw with Senegal gave the Bafana Bafana a slim chance.

However, South Africa could have torn it to shreds had they beaten Senegal.

Now Black Stars head into the final round of group matches on Tuesday (6pm Ghana time) in second place in the group. The Black Stars will end their Group C campaign against the Bafana Bafana, while Algeria take on Mali. Both games kick off at 20h00 (SA time).

Following their first two matches – a win and a loss – the most points Ghana can get is 6.

Senegal already has 4 points, so if they beat Algeria will be on 7 points. That leaves Algeria on 3 points and South Africa on one point.

*Under those circumstances, and if Ghana beat South Africa, then the Black Stars will stay second in the group and advance to the quarter finals.

*Under those circumstances, and if Ghana draw with South Africa, then Black Stars will stay second in the group and advance because it would have four points, Algeria will have three points while South Africa will have two.

However, a victory for Algeria over Senegal and a defeat or draw for Ghana at the hands of South Africa would mean Senegal finish with 4 points while Algeria will top the group with 6 points. So with its better head to head record over Ghana, Senegal  would qualify ahead of the Black Stars even though both are tied at 4 points

If Algeria beat Senegal, Bafana still have to score three clear goals  LESS  whatever goals Algeria score against Senegal, to finish second.

body-container-line