AFCON 2015 – Group C Kicks Off with High-Stakes Clash: Ghana vs. Senegal
The first match of Group C in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations delivers a high-voltage showdown between two giants of African football: Ghana’s Black Stars and Senegal’s Lions of Teranga. Fittingly, this group has been dubbed the “Group of Death”—with Algeria and South Africa also in the mix, there’s little margin for error.
Ghana: Consistent but Still Chasing Glory
Four-time champions Ghana are still chasing their first title since 1982, despite reaching the semi-finals in each of the last four editions. Under the guidance of new coach Avram Grant, the Black Stars are hoping to finally convert consistency into silverware.
Key players like Asamoah Gyan, André Ayew, Agyemang Badu, and Mubarak Wakaso have remained, while Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah misses out due to injury. Grant has also refreshed the squad with young blood, continuing a tradition that dates back to Ghana’s 2010 run to the final with mostly U-20 players.
“In 2010, 80 to 85 percent of the team was made up of players from the U-20s and there was no hope, but we managed to reach the final,” recalled captain Asamoah Gyan.
Senegal: A New Chapter Under Alain Giresse
On the other side, Senegal is looking for redemption. After back-to-back group-stage eliminations in 2012 and 2013, Alain Giresse has been tasked with restoring pride to the Lions of Teranga. He arrives with a talented generation led by Moussa Sow, Papiss Cissé, and Sadio Mané, although the latter is a doubt for the starting eleven due to a recent injury.
Giresse has made bold choices, notably leaving out Demba Ba, betting instead on group cohesion and recent form. The team showed promising signs in their pre-tournament friendlies, but must now deliver when it counts.
A Must-Not-Lose Match
With Algeria and South Africa looming as future opponents in this ultra-competitive group, both Ghana and Senegal know that a defeat today could already be fatal to their quarter-final hopes. Expect a tense, tactical battle where one mistake could prove decisive.
