The Black Stars of Ghana got back to winning ways with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Algeria in a crucial Group C encounter at the Estadio Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea.

A late Asamoah Gyan strike proved priceless for a side that was desperately in need for a win to sustain any hope of qualifying to the next stage of the tournament.

The Stars had their job cut out. They needed nothing but a win to put their destiny in their own hands but the task looked difficult against one of the favorites of the tournament.

And when the clock ticked slowly into regulation time, the Stars looked to settle for a draw and hope for a miracle in their final group game against South Africa but Gyan who was returning after a bout of malaria had other ideas.

He teasingly outwitted his marker in added time before slotting the ball at the far corner for the only and what would once again prove a decisive goal for the Al Ain striker.

The game looked dry and boring in the first half with both teams getting a lot physical. It was the Algerians who settled first and dictated the pace for most part. The Stars were hardly able to string passes let alone to create chances.

It was the Algerians who had an opening early in the 19th minute but Feghouli's touch from a cross strolled across the face of goal.

Ghana hardly threatened and when they did courtesy a Christian Atsu pass, Ghoulam came in with a wild clearance before Gyan could strike.

The Stars began to exert more pressure on the Algerians with some rampaging runs on the right from Atsu.

Ghana hardly threatened and when they did courtesy a Christian Atsu pass, Ghoulam came in with a wild clearance before Gyna could strike.

The Stars began to exert more pressure on the Algerians with some rampaging runs on the right from Atsu.

Back from recess it was the Stars who took the game to the Algerians with the North Africans left with no other choice but to defend.

Asamoah Gyan had his glancing header from an Afful cross flash wide in the 53rd minute. It was that close. Eight minutes later Jordan Ayew combined well with his senior brother Dede Ayew but his cheeky back heel missed the post by inches.

In a rare attack from the Algerians, Ghana's defence was split open but with Razak Braimah to beat, Bentaleb shot just wide.

Seconds later Gyan breached the Algerian defence but his feeble strike from his weaker left foot bounced awkwardly for a goal kick with M’Bolhi looking on.

The introduction of Mubarak Wakaso also brought some level of stability to the Ghana midfield and it was the cultured left footed player who initiated what became a kick of glory for the Stars.

Wakaso volleyed a long ball in with just a minute remaining in added time but the Al Ain striker latched onto it with a deft touch on the left foot before finishing off with an immaculate strike.

It was virtually the last kick of the game with very little time for Algeria to respond. They couldn't. 

The results leaves Group C wide open even though South Africa and Senegal are yet to play their second Group C match later in the evening.