Algeria 3-1 South Africa
Algeria came from behind to begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-1 victory over South Africa.
After a goalless first half, Thuso Phala gave South Africa the lead but Tokelo Rantie missed a penalty and Thulani Hlatshwayo's own goal levelled the scores.
Faouzi Ghoulam and Islam Slimani then earned the Fennec Foxes victory, leaving them level with Senegal - who earlier beat Ghana 2-1 - at the top of Group C.
The first half was a quiet affair, though Sofiane Feghouli's header tested South Africa keeper Darren Keet.
At the other end, Rantie's pace twice got him in behind the Algeria defence but he could not take advantage.
Dean Furman went closest before the break, his 25-yard blast tipped onto the crossbar by Rais M'Bolhi.
The Algeria keeper again had to be at his best to thwart Sibusiso Vilakazi and Thabo Matlaba in a two-on-one chance and then parry Andile Jali's near-post effort as the half ended goalless.
The game burst into life in the second half, with South Africa going close when Vilakazi headed Phala's corner powerfully wide and soon taking the lead.
Nabil Bentaleb lost possession and Vilakazi played a neat one-two with Rantie, who backheeled the ball into the path of his team-mate. The striker then squared to Phala who struck home from six yards.
Moments later, South Africa had the chance to make it 2-0 as Aissa Mandi brought down Vilakazi in the area amid calls for a red card. The referee produced just a yellow and Rantie then hammered the spot-kick against the crossbar.
Algeria would have had an equaliser were it not for Keet's spectacular double save from Slimani's backheel and follow-up header.
But they were soon level through the unfortunate source of South Africa defender Hlatshwayo. Yacine Brahimi crossed from the left and Hlatshwayo could only send his header looping over Keet and into the net.
South Africa were almost ahead again straight from the kick-off as Vilakazi found himself one-on-one with M'Bolhi and the goalkeeper made a smart save with his feet.
And it was Algeria who instead took the lead thanks to a great solo effort from Ghoulam who cut in from the left, shook off his man and slammed a shot inside the near post.
Keet was then culpable as Slimani ran on to Saphir Taider's neat through-ball and his finish squirmed straight through the keeper's hands.
Slimani wasted the chance for another with a poor touch but Algeria had done enough.
