Ghana’s hopes of reaching the next round of the men’s football competition at the 9th All Africa Games was dashed on Friday when the Black Meteors lost 2-0 to South Africa.

The defeat, which happens to be the team’s second successive loss at the tournament effectively, ends the campaign in the group stage, though Ghana, tipped as one of the favourites to land gold play Tunisia in the last group game which would not enhance .

Ghana fell behind 2-0 in the first half and matters were further complicated when in the second half two central defenders, Bawa Mumuni and Stephen Ofei picked up red cards leaving behind a thin and an overstretched side on the field for a greater part of the half.

After an opening defeat to Cameroon in the opening Group A, the Black Meteors needed a win in Friday’s game stay in contention at the Games.

But the outcome means the competition’s bronze medalist in the last edition are out of reckoning for honours.

The Games, which represents Africa’s version of the Olympic Games draws lots of countries to participate in a host of sporting events is been hosted by Algeria for the second time after 1978.