Ghana are joint top with Algeria

Poku got the winner in the 81st minute, giving the Ghanaians a win in a tough encounter that looked destined to end in a draw.

The South Africans, who had hoped to extend their unbeaten run against Ghana, were critical of the quality of officiating.

"I can't say anything about the quality of the match because we didn't play the game according to the rules," coach Conti Kubheka told this website.

"The standard of the game was good but the refereeing was poor. Caf and Fifa have got to give us better referees for other matches."

The result made Ghana joint Group Four leaders alongside Algeria, who beat Zambia 1-0 on Friday.

Playing at home, the North Africans scored the only goal of the game after just four minutes, with a strike from Hadji Ali.

In Group Two, Mali got a convincing 3-0 win over Ivory Coast.

Tenema Ndiaye's got the opening goal in the 45th minute, while Januier Abouta consolidated their lead in the 53rd minute, with Mamadou Diallo completing Mali's victory.

Meanwhile, Cameroon put in an impressive display in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Daniel Wansi, Marcus Mokake, Ngon Mamoun and Emile Mbamba all scoring in a 4-1 victory.

There were more goals in Group Three, as Morocco got a convincing 4-0 win over Ethiopia.

Allaoui scored two goals in the 65th and 79th minutes, but it was Chamakh's opening strike in the 11th minute that did the damage to the Ethiopians.

On Saturday, Angola came from behind to beat Uganda 2-1 in Kampala.

Uganda opened the scoring five minutes into the second half, when Andrew Mwesigwa struck the ball home from the edge of the area.

Angola's equaliser came in the 70th minute from Cuxixius Lorengo and their winner was scored six minutes later by Joachim Marcos.

In the very tough Group One, Nigeria won 2-0 away in Egypt to take an early advantage in the group.

Robery Akware got the opener in the 19th minute, while Victor Babayaro - the younger brother of Chelsea star Celestine - got the second on the stroke of half time.

On Saturday, Tunisia and Senegal battled out a 0-0 draw in Tunis.

All the games feature under-23 sides, although the sides that qualify for Athens will be allowed to strengthen their squad with over-age players.