Substitute Moussa Sow snatched a stoppage-time winner as Senegal hit back to defeat Ghana 2-1 Monday in the Africa Cup of Nations Group C opener.

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It was a deserved triumph for the Teranga Lions, who overcame a sluggish start to dominate the second half and wasted several chances before securing maximum points.

Andre Ayew scored with a penalty on 14 minutes for four-time champions Ghana and 2002 runners-up Senegal levelled through Mame Diouf after 58 minutes.

Several neat touches close to the penalty area created space for Turkey-based Sow to fire past goalkeeper Razak Braimah three minutes into additional time.

The much-hyped group of death continues later Monday when top-ranked African team Algeria tackle resurgent South Africa in the second half of a double-header.

Both teams missed key strikers with mild malaria ruling out Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan and a calf injury sidelining Senegalese Sadio Mane.

Experienced midfielder Andre Ayew took over the Black Stars captaincy and younger brother Jordan Ayew also made the starting line-up.

Senegal left Newcastle United goal-poacher Papiss Demba Cisse on the bench, preferring Diouf of Stoke City as the lone frontman.

Concerns that the tournament in Equatorial Guinea would not draw crowds proved unfounded for the third consecutive day with Estadio Mongomo packed to its 15,000 capacity in hot, dry conditions.