Moussa Sow scored a dramatic last-gasp winner as Senegal defeated Ghana 2-1 in an entertaining opening Group C clash at the African Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea on Monday.

The game had seemingly been headed for a stalemate deep into injury-time before the Fenerbahce striker stole the points for his side with a clinical finish.

It completed a turnaround in fortunes in the game for the Senegalese, who had gone down early to Andre Ayew's penalty, before Mame Biram Diouf equalised and then wasted a number of opportunities to win it.

The Black Stars were handed a blow before kick-off when star striker Asamoah Gyan was ruled out having contracted what was described as a mild bout of malaria over the weekend.

Senegal were also missing key midfielder Sadio Mane who did not recover from a calf injury in time to play.

Ghana had the lead on 13 minutes after Everton winger Christian Atsu was brought down by Senegal goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul and Andre Ayew stepped up to convert the spot-kick

It was almost 2-0 midway through the first half when Jordon Ayew set the lively Atsu away, but he pulled his shot wide.

Brimah then produced two fine saves inside five minutes, both from Diouf. The first saw him beat away a header, before he made a sparkling stop from an audacious but well executed overhead-kick from the Stoke City forward.

Senegal switched to a 4-4-2 formation after the break and it paid dividends as they largely dominated the second period.

Diouf had the simplest task of equalising on 58 minutes when he headed home after the ball rebounded to him off the post, leaving Brimah with no chance on this occasion.

The striker should have done better though when well placed eight minutes later, but he blasted over the bar from 12-yards on what was a frustrating night for the forward despite his goal.

And Diouf should have scored again with 10 minutes remaining as he picked up on a mistake from Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah, but with just Brima to beat, skewed his shot wide.

Jordan Ayew almost grabbed the points for Ghana late on when he connected with Harrison Afful's cross, but headed wide of goal and was made to pay for the miss.

In the final minute of injury-time, goalkeeper Coundoul's long punt up-field eventually made its way to Sow on the edge of the box and he struck a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Ghana will now meet Algeria in their second pool game on Friday, while Senegal will tackle South Africa.