The returning Asamoah Gyan struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Ghana kickstarted their African Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 Group C victory against Algeria in Mongomo on Friday.

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Gyan missed his side's opening 2-1 defeat to Senegal on Monday after contracting a mild bout of malaria, but he was brought back into the starting line-up by coach Avram Grant for a must-win encounter against the Algerians and snatched all three points in the second minute of injury time.

His goal lit up what had been a dire contest on a bobbly surface and allowed Ghana to move level with Algeria and Senegal on three points in the group before the Lions of Teranga face pointless South Africa later.

Nevertheless, this was not a game for attacking players, with the first half in particular a scrappy affair marred by crunching challenges.

Both sides made changes in an effort to find the breakthrough in the closing stages, although Ghana coach Grant opted to leave the clearly tiring Gyan on.

 And Gyan rewarded his coach with the winner right at the death, latching onto a hopeful long ball downfield from Wakasu Mubarak and outpacing Carl Medjani before firing across Mbolhi and into the net from a tight angle.

South Africa once again failed to hold onto a lead as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Senegal in Mongomo.

Oupa Manyisa gave Bafana Bafana the lead at the start of the second half with a low strike from inside the area, but a towering header by Genk defender Kara Mbodji just after the hour mark earned Senegal a draw.

The result leaves Senegal top of Group C with four points from two matches, one point clear of both Algeria and Ghana, who met earlier in the day with the Black Stars winning 1-0.

South Africa, meanwhile, are bottom with just one point to their name and must beat Ghana in their last match next Tuesday to stay in the competition.