Bafana defeated in AFCON opener

Bafana Bafana squandered a one-goal lead and then missed a penalty as Algeria came from behind to win 3-1 in their opening Africa Cup of Nations clash in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, on Monday night.

South Africa had the upper hand for 16 minutes thanks to Thuso Phala's second-half opener.

However, Tokelo Rantie's missed penalty, an own-goal from Thulani Hlatshwayo and a strike from Islam Slimani conspired against the South Africans.

This allowed the continent's top-ranked team to get their Cup of Nations campaign off the ground.

A harsh lesson for Shakes Mashaba and his Bafana outfit, South Africa looked to cause the first upset of the tournament with 38 minutes left in the game.

However, a number of costly errors left Mashaba with his first defeat in his second stint as national coach.

South Africa were on the back foot for much of the first half, but when Dean Furman struck the crossbar with a venomous effort from a long way out, the game swung heavily in South Africa's favour.

Furman's shot was the best chance of the half and sent Bafana into the half-time break looking like the better of the teams, despite goalkeeper Darren Keet being tested regularly.

Keet stood his ground and kept South Africa alive at the back, which allowed the team to attack well.

Bafana were eventually rewarded for their positive play as Phala slotted home after a bit of slick passing in the Algerian area.

Vilakazi was once again at the heart of the move, hurtling into the box but held onto the ball well and waited for the onrushing Rantie.

Rantie passed back to Vilakazi from dead in front, before the Wits midfielder unselfishly laid off to Phala, who was perfectly placed to tap home for the lead.

With the lead safely in hand, the South African attacked with meaning.

Before long, Bafana had a chance to go a further goal ahead when Vilakazi was fouled inside the box, prompting Ivorian referee Noumandiez Doue to point to the spot.

Aissa Mandi was fortunate to stay on the field when he should have been handed a red card for a professional foul on Vilakazi, who looked certain to score had he not been recklessly bundled off the ball.

Rantie, however, failed to convert. His effort struck the crossbar and sailed over the goal.

That mistake would quickly catch-up with Mashaba's team as Hlatshwayo found himself unable to deal with Saphir Taider in the box, heading the ball into his own goal as the Desert Warriors drew level on 67 minutes.

Keet had been brilliant in goal but could do little four minutes later to stop Ghoulam's thunderous close-range effort.

Despite getting a palm to the shot, Keet was beaten for sheer power after his defence failed to deal with the goalscorer's marauding run.

But more disappointment was to come for Keet and the South Africans five minutes from the end. Slimani's shot snuck under the goalkeeper's body and condemned Bafana to a two-goal defeat.

The defeat leaves South Africa bottom of group C with no points, behind Ghana only on goal-difference.

Ghana suffered a late 1-0 defeat against Senegal earlier in the day, meaning Bafana's next encounter against Senegal is a must win.

Should South Africa and Ghana both lose their next match, the two nations will be eliminated from the tournament before the last game of the group kicks-